Doctor's Negligence in Laparoscopic Procedure

Our Case *

This medical malpractice action arises from the negligent treatment rendered to Sarah Foster by defendants beginning on February 26, 2001. Sarah was thirty-five (35) years old when she entered the Hospital for a laparoscopic procedure to remove gallstones. Dr. Sharp had recommended the procedure and informed Sarah that he would personally do the surgery. During the procedure, Ms. Foster sustained a severe and permanent injury to her biliary tract that necessitated multiple subsequent surgeries and hospitalizations.

Finally, on March 2, 2001 an ERCP was performed which revealed clips crossing the proximal common duct with common duct obstruction. On March 3, 2001, Ms. Foster endured yet another surgery where extensive injuries to the bile duct were visualized, but non-repairable. Following this procedure, Ms. Foster endured an external drainage system where she was forced to live with 6-9 heavy drainage bags hanging from her body for many months.

Ms. Foster subsequently developed infection in July of 2001 that required hospitalization. She endured yet another surgery on July 12, 2001. Following that procedure, Ms. Foster developed cholangitis and required additional hospitalization in August 2001. As the July procedure did not obviate the need for the external drainage system, Ms. Foster endured the tubes until they could be removed in December 2001. Ms. Foster is now permanently disabled and has a poor prognosis for her future well-being.

Why were Defendants Negligent?

The defendant physicians severely and permanently injured Ms. Foster's biliary tract during the February 26, 2001 surgery, essentially destroying her proximal bile duct. Additionally, following the surgery, not one attending physician was in charge of Ms. Foster's care. The operating physicians abandoned Ms. Foster after negligently creating her life threatening condition.

The Verdict

The Lewis Law Firm were able to recover a large monetary award as a result of settlement prior to trial. The battle was far from easy but the reward Ms. Foster received was well worth the effort. At the Law Offices of Gayle R. Lewis, we go to battle for you.

* Names have been changed where appropriate