Surgical Sponge Left in Patient Results in $525K Award
When Tennessee residents and people all across the country go to the doctor or the hospital, they expect that the doctors and other medical staff will do everything they can to make sure they are feeling better by the time they leave. Unfortunately, sometimes mistakes and errors are made and this can cause serious injuries and medical problems for many patients. If you or someone you love feels that you have been the victim of medical malpractice while seeing a physician or in the hospital, then you should speak to a Tennessee medical malpractice lawyer right away. They will hear your case and make sure you receive the compensation you need.
In this case, Erin Webster filed a lawsuit against Lower Bucks Hospital, Dr. Richard Turner and Nurses Megan Blatcher and Laura Tedesco, claiming that the medical staff was negligent when they left a laparotomy sponge inside of her in March of 2004. According to the lawsuit, Webster claims that because of surgical malpractice she suffered from severe abdominal pain, a severe infection, bowel perforation, bowel obstruction as well as digestive problems. The sponge was found two months after the surgery when Webster complained about stomach pain. She had to have additional surgery to remove sixteen itches of her small bowel which still did not eliminate all of her medical problems.
A jury awarded Webster $525,000 and found the hospital as well as Blatcher and Tedesco liable. According to the lawsuit, the two nurses failed to a proper count of medical equipment during and after the procedure. The jury did not find Turner liable. Webster is also seeking an additional quarter million dollars in damages for interest fees since the lawsuit was first filed in 2005.
Unfortunately, cases similar to this one happen too often to people all across the country and even to the residents of Tennessee. If you or someone you care about feels that you been the victim of medical malpractice after going to the doctor or hospital then we encourage you to contact one of our compassionate and experienced Tennessee medical malpractice attorneys immediately. We care about our clients and will work with you and other medical professionals to make sure you get the compensation you need for what you have been through. Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
