What Happened
The client underwent a surgical procedure expecting to begin recovery. Instead, a piece of a surgical tool broke off and was left inside the body.
The client experienced severe pain for days. Concerns were initially minimized before the broken tool fragment was discovered, and a second surgery was required to remove it — delaying the client's recovery from the original procedure.
The Hospital Initially Denied Negligence
The hospital initially argued that it was not negligent because its surgical counts were correct and the tool itself had been accounted for. That argument ignored the central issue: part of the tool had broken off and remained inside the patient.
Washington courts recognize that leaving a foreign object inside a patient can support an inference of negligence under the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur — Latin for "the thing speaks for itself." A surgical count does not resolve the problem when a portion of an instrument is missing and remains inside the patient.
Looking Beyond the Hospital
The medical records did not identify the manufacturer of the surgical instrument that broke. Because the tool should not have broken during the procedure, I investigated the manufacturer as another potentially responsible party — pursuing every available source until I identified it and ensured that all potential avenues of recovery were considered.
"I look beyond the most obvious defendant to determine who may share responsibility and where insurance coverage or other sources of recovery may exist."
— Amy C. Brown
The Result
I secured a confidential settlement for the client before filing a lawsuit. Because the case resolved during the pre-litigation process, the client did not have to endure a deposition, formal discovery, or trial. Related medical expenses were addressed, and the client received substantial compensation for the pain, the additional surgery, and the delayed recovery.
Without effective legal representation, the client may have received little more than payment of medical expenses. Instead, the settlement meaningfully recognized what the client was forced to endure.
What Retained-Object Patients Should Understand
The value of a retained surgical-object case depends on several factors, including:
- What object was left inside the body
- How long it remained there
- The severity and duration of the resulting pain
- Whether another surgery was required
- Whether the object caused infection or permanent injury
- Whether a defective surgical instrument or product contributed to the incident
- Which healthcare providers, facilities, manufacturers, and insurers may be responsible
Even when the facts appear straightforward, identifying every potentially responsible party and understanding the applicable medical-malpractice law can materially affect the outcome.
If you discovered that a surgical instrument, sponge, needle, or other object was left inside your body, I can evaluate what happened and help you understand your options.