The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

The Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida recently settled a medical malpractice lawsuit filed by a local judge who was injured after a surgical error resulted in a sponge being left inside his body. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

The 67-year-old judge had initially been treated for diverticulitis, a digestive disease affecting the large intestine. After the procedure, his pain intensified and doctors were at a loss to explain why. It took five months before doctors discovered that a 12x12 inch sponge had been left in his body after the initial surgery.

During the five months the sponge remained in his body, it began rotting. As a result, it created perforations inside his intestines. Doctors were forced to remove a portion of his intestines when the sponge was removed.

Surgical errors such as these are a common problem. The Journal of Radiology released a report indicating that approximately 1,500 patients in the United States suffer similar incidents of medical negligence every year.

If you have been the victim of a surgical error, please contact the medical malpractice attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to schedule your free initial consultation. We serve clients nationwide.