Court Report

Malpractice

A man whose doctors left a 16-by-28-inch surgical towel in his abdomen after he underwent surgery for an aortic aneurysm was awarded $455,000 in damages Tuesday. William Barlow, 62, developed a blood infection and fever after leaving the Veteran's Administration hospital in December 2000, according to a summary of the case released by the judge. The towel was removed four months later.

• Patient Wins Award After Surgery Mishap
• Med Complications May Cost $9B Per Year
• Injuries Wreak Havoc Beyond Patients' Pain
• Doctors Campaign For Medical Malpractice Reform

Posted by Editor at October 8, 2003 10:43 AM