The missing sponge...

[danielle76]

What is the name of your state? Ohio

I had an emergency appendectomy on November 23, 2004 for a ruptured appendix.

I had several infections, abcesses and hospital admissions following this surgery. I'm 28 years old and have always been in excellent health. I just wouldn't heal. My wound had to be "packed" with dressings twice a day for four months.

On March 21, 2005- my surgeon decided to take me back into the operating room to cut out the infection and completely start the healing process over again.

After the surgery, he told me they had found a "partial sponge" left over from my original surgery which he stated had caused all the problems.

Right now, I am still having nursing care come to my home because they have once again had to leave my would open to heal from the inside-out. My wound is 4 cm deep, 8cm wide and 3 cm long. You could easily insert a small fist into it.

My next appointment is 4/4/05 and it will be determined if I will be stapled back up with a drain, or if I will have to have a Wound Vacuum Pump. The pump has already been ordered and is here at home.

I called a local law firm and they stated since it was unknown if I would have any long term damages-- that they could not help me. It just seems like I could have some of my medical expenses covered, as they are reaching up near the 10k mark, and that is just insurance co-pays for the repeated admissions and procedures.

Thank you for any assistance or advice in this matter.

 

[ellencee]

danielle76
You have an excellent reason to seek compensation. I do not foresee your having much of a problem in obtaining satisfactory compensation even if you do not go through an attorney but I strongly advise your having legal counsel in obtaining compensation. Unless there is some important information missing from your description, you have a meritorious claim against the hosptial and the surgeon.

Please continue to seek legal counsel; look outside of the county in which the hospital is located. Find out the statute of limitations that applies to your claim and do not let the statute get even close to expiration. You have more than medical bills to be paid; you deserve compensation for pain and suffering, scars, and possibly for lost wages. Once healed, you should have no further problem so I doubt future medical bills is an issue. There is the possibility that your fallopian tubes have been damaged so before you total up your damages, have your tubes and ovaries checked out by a qualified gynecologist. If you have lost the ability to conceive naturally, your damages will be considerably more significant and any award for damages will reflect the same.

The Wound VAC is a fantastic would healing product. It is, in my opinion, one of the greatest developments ever for the healing of wounds such as yours and for a wide variety of other wounds.

Best wishes,
EC

 

[You Are Guilty]

Definately find an attorney that actually specializes in medical malpractice. "Foreign object" cases are far and away, the easiest type of med mal claims, so you sometimes get lawyers who don't really know what they're doing but know that they are easy to settle.

BTW, don't think of it as a wound, think of it as a small storage area for your cigarettes

 

[vrzirn]

"Partial sponge?" They are not usually cut in half. Leaving sponges or other foreign objects in patients is definitely a no-no and cause for suit. You won't get much if you heal well but you will get something. Thr count is supposed to be correct when they close.

 

[danielle76]

Thank you for all of the excellent advice. I am contacting the attorney who handled our adoptions for a referral on Monday.

I appreciate you taking time out to help answer my questions.