Collier County (Fla) Circuit Court
Three weeks after a successful cesarean delivery, a woman complained to her physician of pain and discomfort in the lower right quadrant of her abdomen. The physician ordered a series of blood tests and advised the woman that her pain was the result of a hematoma that would heal itself with time. However, the pain did not subside on its own.
Some time later, an x-ray of the abdomen revealed a retained surgical sponge, which was removed via laparotomy.
In suing, the woman claimed that she suffered damage to her reproductive organs as a result of the physician’s negligence. In addition, she cannot conceive naturally.
- The jury awarded the plaintiff $438,686.