Surgical Instruments Left Behind During Procedures
The average surgery requires many foreign objects inside the body — gauze, sponges, surgical clamps, needles and other instruments — that need to be removed before suturing the patient's incision. When an item is accidentally left inside the patient, it can result in a serious injury or infection for the patient. Unfortunately, retained objects are left inside patients more often than one might suspect.
If a foreign object caused an injury to you or a loved one, you may be able to recover damages through a medical malpractice lawsuit. As an attorney at the Karney Law Firm, I have spent more than 30 years representing clients who have suffered serious injuries as the result of medical negligence. Talk with me about your surgery, the mistakes that were made and whether filing a claim is an option for you.
Foreign and Retained Objects in the Body
If you know or suspect that a foreign object was left behind during a surgical procedure, that object may cause permanent or life-threatening harm, such as:
- Post-operative infections
- Internal bleeding
- Blood clots
- Sharp pains
- Nerve damage
- Damage to other organs
- Perforation of bowels
In some cases, symptoms are immediate, especially if the retained object rubs against adjacent tissues in the body. In other cases, it can take weeks or months to know that something is wrong. At my firm, I thoroughly investigate cases to help clients understand the best course of action and their chances of success in a malpractice lawsuit.
Learn More About Retained Objects and Medical Malpractice
If you have been harmed by a doctor, nurse or other medical professional in North Carolina, talk with me, Robert A. Karney, to learn more about your rights. Schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer by calling my Charlotte office toll free statewide at 888-855-3504 or locally at 704-315-2623. If your case is not won or settled, you pay nothing.
