Woman with needle in her back wins medical malpractice lawsuit

The great majority of medical procedures are successful, though there are no guarantees. In some cases, poor results may occur even if the medical staff fully observed applicable standards of care. However, sometimes, medical malpractice lawsuits in Louisiana and other states follow adverse complications that resulted from doctors’ improper handling of procedures.

In a recent lawsuit, a woman who will be 70 years old next year alleged negligence by a doctor in another state. The treatment complained of occurred when she was 62 years old. The medical malpractice complaint states that she suffered chronic pain from degenerative spinal discs that were bulging. She sought help from a doctor at a pain relief clinic who suggested trigger point treatment.

This involves injections at the points which are believed to trigger the pain. However, the plaintiff alleges a 1½-inch needle was left embedded in her back since the day of the procedure in December 2009. It is further alleged that she since underwent five failed attempts to remove the needle. She claims that it has migrated approximately 6 inches over the ensuing years.

After a four-day jury trial, the plaintiff was awarded $507,000 in the lawsuit against the doctor and the pain clinic which is no longer in business. Anyone in Louisiana who is suffering the consequences of medical negligence may be entitled to seek recovery of monetary damages. Obtaining evidence to prove negligence may be challenging. With the help of an experienced medical malpractice attorney, those rendered substandard care may be held accountable in a civil court.

Source: stltoday.com, “Hypodermic needle lodged in St. Louis County woman’s back since 2009 nets $507,000 jury award“, Joel Currier, Sept. 3, 2016