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Woman awarded $5 million after surgical errors left her paralyzed

On Behalf of | May 27, 2019 | Surgical Errors

Although thousands of people in Delaware and across the country undergo surgical procedures every day, there is no such thing as a routine surgery. These descriptive words are used frequently, but truth be told, every surgical procedure comes with risk. One missed step, no matter how minor, can injure a patient for life. A woman in another state filed a medical malpractice lawsuit after surgical errors left her partially paralyzed.

The woman said she sought treatment for back pain and numbness so she underwent a laminectomy, which is a procedure to decompress the spine. According to allegations, a dressing known as Gelfoam was not removed before the closing of the incisions that were made during the procedure, and no drains were installed to drain fluid and blood post-surgery. Following her procedure, the woman said she noticed she had no feeling from her abdomen to her toes.

The lawsuit said the plaintiff was then brought back to the surgery room for an emergency procedure to explore her wounds and place drains in her back to remove fluid. Unfortunately, the woman continued to experience symptoms of paralysis, according to claims. Allegedly, the woman suffered a thoracic spinal cord injury due to the surgery and was sent to a rehab facility. The plaintiff claimed she was discharged from rehab after two months with a diagnosis of paraplegia, neurogenic bow and other disabilities. A jury sided with the plaintiff and awarded her $5 million.

Technology and improved safety measures have made surgery much safer these days. The vast majority of surgical procedures improve the lives of patients, but what can be done when errors during surgery cause injuries? Victims and families in Delaware who are affected by surgical errors can take action by consulting an experienced attorney and filing a claim.

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