Surgical Malpractice – William Beaumont Hosptial – Improperly Performed C-Section and Failure to Remove Surgical Sponge from Patient

Sommers Schwartz attorney Richard Groffsky filed a surgical malpractice lawsuit against William Beaumont Hospital on behalf of a 34-year-old woman who suffered pain and mental anguish following a negligently performed cesarean section.

The cause of the client’s injuries was a sponge left in her abdomen during the procedure. Surprisingly, after the suit was filed, defendant William Beaumont Hospital has failed to take any responsibility for its actions, maintaining that the failure to accurately count sponges during the procedure was neither negligence nor malpractice.

According to the medical malpractice lawsuit, the plaintiff underwent a c-section conducted by the defendant OB-GYN physician in November of 2019. During the surgery, the plaintiff’s uterus was externalized, and the cavity was cleared with a sponge. The medical records indicated a sponge count taken at the end of the procedure was correct.

After her surgery, the plaintiff was discharged from the defendant hospital with discomfort in her right and left abdomen. Although the right side began to improve, her left side remained painful. She visited the OB-GYN multiple times complaining of increasing pain in her side, including incisional pain. The plaintiff then noticed asymmetry in her abdomen with a swelling or mass present around the level of the umbilicus. She scheduled another appointment with her OB-GYN, after which an abdominal ultrasound and subsequent CT of her abdomen and pelvis were taken. The scans suggested the presence of a retained surgical sponge inside the plaintiff.

In January 2020, the plaintiff underwent a remedial surgery. The left abdominal abscess was evacuated of pus and opened, revealing the sponge. The sponge was removed along with visible remaining fibers. Further inspection of the abdomen revealed an avulsion of the right fallopian tube, which was repaired and reattached.  Following that surgery she underwent multiple other procedures for infection and wound issues, which have left her potentially unable to have any more children. She continues receive medical and surgical treatment to this day for the consequences of the inaccurate sponge count.

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