Weston Retained Surgical Item Injury Attorney
Put 30+ Years of Experience on Your Side
When a person agrees to undergo surgery, they are trusting that their doctors will operate with the highest level of care to ensure their safe treatment. As a part of this trust, surgeons are expected to follow the proper protocols to accurately keep track of all surgical instruments, sponges, and equipment used during each procedure.
In particularly egregious cases of doctor malpractice, surgical staff has been known to inadvertently leave foreign objects inside their patients, causing excruciating pain and infections after surgery. If you or a loved one have had a sponge or other medical instrument left inside you during surgery, a knowledgeable Weston retained surgical item injury attorney from Rash Mueller can represent your interests and fight to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Tell us about your situation today – call (954) 914-7116 to schedule a free consultation.
How Are Devices Left Inside Patients?
Leaving instruments inside a patient's body is considered by the medical community to be one of the most careless and preventable forms of medical negligence, being referred to as a "never event." Despite the infamy of these medical mistakes, it is estimated that this type of malpractice occurs about a dozen times each day, with many hospitals passing on technologies that can minimize this risk. According to a USA TODAY survey, less than 15 percent of American hospitals use sponges with electronic tracking devices, despite the fact that this technology would only add around $12 to the cost of each surgery.
Surgeons can cause foreign objects to be left inside patients for a number of reasons, including:
- Operating under extreme exhaustion
- Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failing to communicate with staff
- Failing to keep track of all instruments used during surgery
- Ignoring established hospital policies
- Incompetent skills of surgeons and assistants
In many cases, poor post-operation monitoring can cause left objects to remain undiscovered until serious damage has already been done. Sharp objects such as scalpels and forceps can puncture organs and cause internal bleeding as a patient moves, while sponges and gauze can cause life-threatening infections and debilitating pain. If patents do not undergo emergency surgery to remove a foreign object, the consequences can potentially be fatal.
What Are the Symptoms of Retained Surgical Items?
Retained surgical instruments, including gauze left in after surgery malpractice, can cause significant harm to patients, leading to a myriad of complications that compromise health and well-being. The presence of a foreign object within the body initiates an inflammatory response, which can escalate into severe infections and chronic pain. Furthermore, these items can migrate within the body, potentially puncturing organs or obstructing physiological functions. The gravity of these situations often necessitates additional surgeries, prolonging recovery time and imposing further emotional and financial stress on the victims and their families.
Symptoms that may indicate a patient has retained surgical items include:
- Unexplained pain, significantly intense or localized, that does not subside with time and typical post-surgical healing
- Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, or uncharacteristic redness and swelling at or near the surgical site
- Gastrointestinal issues, including unexplained nausea, vomiting, or difficulty digesting, which could indicate internal blockages or perforations
- Unusual discharge from the surgical area, which may be clear, bloody, or resemble pus, indicating a possible infection or internal conflict with the foreign body
- Fatigue or general malaise, which can be a sign of the body fighting an ongoing infection or coping with the stress of a foreign object
- Swelling or visible protrusion near the surgical site, suggesting that the body is reacting to the retained item
Retain No-Risk Representation Today
If a surgeon has left a foreign object inside your body during surgery, you may be entitled to pursue monetary compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost income by filing a personal injury claim with the assistance of a skilled Weston retained surgical item injury lawyer from Rash Mueller. Having represented hundreds of clients throughout the greater Weston area, we can provide the results-driven advocacy you need to maximize your chances of securing a fair settlement for your suffering.
Countless clients have trusted our firm for the following reasons:
- More than 40 years of collective, and successful legal experience
- Millions of dollars recovered in verdicts and settlements
- Perfect 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating
- AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
Get started towards filing a claim by scheduling a case review today.
Hundreds of Millions Won on Behalf of Our Clients
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$14,000,000 Trucking Crash Case
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$19,500,000 Medical Malpractice
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$9,000,000 Maritime Claim
Hear From Our Happy Clients
At Rash Mueller, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"Lori kept in contact, showed empathy, & was straightforward with all detail!"When I say..you’ve reached the right people..ur lucky to be in contact with them!! Although they couldn’t help me with my case. Leading up to the decision Lori kept in contact, showed empathy, and was straightforward with all detail! Lori told me more than my own doctors or the hospital did. I have closure because of HER! So I still won! My case was complicated to move forward due to other reasons..but she ain’t never let me down when speaking to her! She speaks to you as if she knew you forever! I appreciate this firm so much because before they say NO..they try, they listen, and they put work in!!! Thank you guys so much for everything!- Adrian W.
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"I so appreciate their kindness, genuine compassion, & 'got my back' attitude."From the first phone conversation with Lori, to the first time meeting with David and Jeff, all the way through and to the conclusion of my case, I felt as if these people truly cared about what happened to me. They didn’t just see a potential “case”. They were upset with my situation. They wanted to help. Through the years that this whole process takes, I have gotten to know them a bit better, and they have gotten to know me. I now consider them less “my legal team”, and more a part of my extended family, whether they realize it, or like it, or not. I so appreciate their kindness, genuine compassion, and “got my back” attitude. I hope you are never in a situation to need these folks, but if you ever are, I highly recommend talking to them and seeing if it’s a right fit for all.- Joel F.
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"Jeff & David are very compassionate, kind & won't let you down."I never thought that anything would ever happen to me that would lead me to post a review about this law office. Unfortunately, I was wrong and what happened was completely unimaginable so much so that police didn’t believe it at first. I was so confused and lost because it seemed that no one believed me. I googled malpractice in Florida and this was one of the offices that popped up. I called and spoke with Lori, the paralegal, and told her everything she believed me and Jeff and David did too. Due to what happened this wasn’t going to just be a civil lawsuit but a criminal one as well. They were a huge help in working with the police to get items that would prove my criminal case and would lead to felony arrest and jail time. They were there to talk to me all throughout the criminal case. Especially, Lori she truly cared and when I was all alone feeling that I wasn’t strong enough to get through this she was always there with good and caring advice. I was with this law firm for the past 3 years and Jeff and David are very compassionate and kind. From the attorneys to the paralegal they worked very hard and did so much that they have changed my life. If you are looking for an attorney office with experienced, knowledgeable, and compassionate staff. I promise they won’t let you down.- Tiffany S.
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"They leave no stone unturned & will make sure you know what to expect and what your rights are."They were great every step of the way, keeping you informed. Also, their assistants and reps are wonderful with keeping you updated and communicating between Jeff and David. They leave no stone unturned and will make sure you know what to expect and what your rights are. I am forever grateful and highly recommend them.- King F.
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"Wonderful team! Great group of people, very attentive to clients."Wonderful team! Great group of people, very attentive to clients, left us with no doubts in our process and stood by us til everything was taken care of. Would definitely recommend to others!!!- Jennica P.
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"Highly recommended. They are professional, accommodating, and great with communication."They are the best! Highly recommended. They are professional, accommodating, and great with communication. I would not go to anyone else.- Brandon
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"e was a godsend to us in a time of extreme duress. If you are looking for an excellent attorney, look no further. 5 STARS!"David Rash is the kindest and most professional lawyer we have ever worked with. He is always timely in his responses to us and incredibly thorough. His experience and intelligence in his dealings makes working with him very easy. He was a godsend to us in a time of extreme duress. If you are looking for an excellent attorney, look no further. 5 STARS!- Mindy A.
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"He’s a good guy and very very good at what he does!"I can’t thank David Rash enough for everything he has done for me! Not only did he go out of his way to make sure I got everything I deserved, David was very caring and polite. He went out of his way to keep me informed and just to check in on my health. He’s a good guy and very very good at what he does! A+! If you want someone that actually cares, go with Rash Mueller. Thanks again David.- Jordan