Cleveland VA Medical Center Settles Medical Malpractice Lawsuit for $275,000

MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio, Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cleveland VA Medical Center agreed to settle for $275,000 a lawsuit brought by a 47-year-old veteran after the doctors and nurses left two surgical towels inside of him during a surgery to remove his kidney. The New Philadelphia, Ohio veteran was represented by medical malpractice attorney R. Craig McLaughlin of the Ohio personal injury law firm, Elk & Elk.

McLaughlin's client had surgery in May 2008 to remove his cancerous left kidney. The surgery successfully eliminated the cancer, but two large surgical lap pads were left inside of the patient by the doctors and nurses at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. Over the next two months, he became very sick, developed an abscess, and had to be hospitalized.  Finally, a CT scan of his abdomen revealed the presence of the two surgical towels. The veteran was told finding one surgical towel was "ridiculous, but two is atrocious."

The patient had a second surgery to remove the towels in August 2008. The multiple surgeries, however, led to the development of an incisional hernia which required McLaughlin's client to undergo a third surgery.  He was unable to return to work as a truck driver for more than a year.

"The men and women who served our country in the armed forces deserve to receive quality health care at VA medical facilities," McLaughlin said. "Sadly, this type of mistake by doctors and nurses happens far too often. If only they had followed simple safety rules that are put in place to protect the patient like double checking that all of the surgical towels have been removed or investing in medical equipment that would have detected these towels before closing him up, this whole tragedy could have been avoided."    

This was a Federal Tort Claim Act case brought in U.S. District Federal Court in Cleveland.  The Honorable James S. Gwin approved the settlement.

About R. Craig McLaughlin

Craig McLaughlin represents people who have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, motor vehicle crashes, and defective products.  Craig was named a "Super Lawyer Rising Star" by Ohio Super Lawyer Magazine for 2009, 2010, and 2011.  He is also a life member of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums.

About Elk & Elk

Elk & Elk is one of Ohio's premier personal injury and medical malpractice law firms.  It represents individuals and their families in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Ohio and around the country.  Its lawyers are renowned for their achievements in the courtroom and for their contributions in the community.  The experience and resources of the firm has resulted in exceptional results for its clients.

For further information, please contact attorney R. Craig McLaughlin at 1-800-355-6446 or [email protected].

SOURCE Elk & Elk

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