Surgical Sponge Left in Abdomen During Surgery
A Kentucky jury awarded $2.5 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit filed on behalf of a married couple affected by a sponge left behind after surgery for a hysterectomy. In 2001, Sophia Savage had a hysterectomy. During surgery the sponge was left in her abdomen. In 2005, Sophia went to her doctor complaining of pain and during an X-ray the sponge was found. While in another surgery to remove the sponge, surgeons discovered that it was attached to her lower intestines thus forcing them to remove 49 centimeters of her small intestine. Sophia Savage was awarded $1.9 million for past and future pain and suffering and $65,968 for past medical expenses while her husband was awarded $500,000 for loss of consortium.
