Baltimore Surgical Negligence Lawyers for Foreign Objects Inside the Body

Attorneys for Injuries Caused by Objects Left in the Body After Surgery in Baltimore, MD

One of the most disturbing, but not altogether uncommon, surgical errors that can occur is when a surgeon leaves a foreign object inside the body after performing an operation. This form of negligence can lead to dangerous health complications, including life-threatening infections, internal bleeding, nerve injury, and extreme pain or discomfort.

In the experience of the team of medical malpractice attorneys at Silverman Thompson, the most common foreign bodies that are left inside bodies are sponges, needles, gauze, metal clamps, and sometimes surgical instruments. Typically, the retention of surgical sponges probably occurs the most frequently of all foreign bodies that are left inside patients following surgical procedures.

Objects being left inside a person's body are a sign of serious negligence by surgeons and others who work in operating rooms during surgical procedures. All instruments and other items involved in a procedure should be fully accounted for, and the failure to take the proper steps to protect a patient's health can result in serious injuries. Our lawyers work with patients in these situations to address the harm done to them because of negligence and obtain full financial compensation for their injuries and damages.

Surgical Negligence Involving Foreign Objects

In every surgical procedure, health care providers are responsible for ensuring that there is an initial count of all the surgical instruments, sponges, clamps, towels, etc. that will be used during the surgery. At the surgery's completion, at least one health care provider is charged with ensuring that the same number of instruments or surgical devices have been removed from the surgical field. Failure to accurately document this count can lead to a foreign object being retained inside the body.

Naturally, when these objects are left inside a person's body, a second invasive procedure is usually necessary to remove them, and this can result in additional hospitalization, prolonged wound healing and recovery time, missed work, increased medical expenses, and physical/emotional pain and suffering. In addition, some patients may become extremely ill and develop complications resulting from the foreign object being left inside their bodies. These illnesses can progress to extremely debilitating conditions that could end up costing a patient dearly.

It has been suggested that issues of communication in the operating room are at the heart of the problem of retained foreign bodies because of misunderstandings; i.e., cross-cultural (nurse to a surgeon), hierarchical (captain and crew), or structural (medical staff vs. hospital staff). There can also be a wide divide between the levels of training, communication styles, and experience among different people working together as an OR staff. These differences should be manageable, however, as retained foreign bodies are generally regarded as "never events," meaning that they should never happen without negligence on the part of one or more people involved in a procedure.

Contact our Baltimore Surgical Malpractice Attorneys

As experienced Baltimore, Maryland medical malpractice attorneys, we have successfully pursued claims addressing a healthcare provider's negligence in leaving a foreign object inside a patient's body following surgery. These cases require a complete and detailed understanding of the appropriate preoperative and operative procedures that must be followed by each of the various healthcare providers who are involved in a particular surgery.

If you have been affected by a surgical error, such as a retained foreign object inside the body after surgery, Silverman Thompson can help you understand what steps you can take to address the injuries you have suffered due to negligence. Andrew G. Slutkin and Ethan S. Nochumowitz can provide strong representation for you, working to ensure that you will receive financial compensation. Contact our Baltimore, MD surgical error lawyers at 410-385-2225 to arrange a free consultation.