Doctor Denies Surgical Malpractice

Arkansas surgeon Dr. John B. Weiss is denying allegations that he committed surgical malpractice by leaving a surgical instrument in a patient’s thigh during surgery.

The patient, John Walters, filed a medical malpractice lawsuit last week seeking compensation for his injuries.  The lawsuit alleges that during a 2004 surgery, the doctor left a piece of plastic referred to as a “blue surgical tunneler” in his left thigh.  The object went undetected until July 2008 when it was discovered and subsequently surgically removed.

According to court documents, Walters claims that he confronted the doctor after he learned of the medical error and that Dr. Weiss admitted to leaving the object inside the patient’s thigh.  In his answer, Weiss adamantly denies the admission and any wrongdoing.

The lawsuit also indicates that Walters believes the foreign object may have played a part in his being diagnosed with leukemia, which the doctor also denies.

Walters is seeking damages for medical expenses (past and future) and pain and suffering.  Records do not indicate the dollar amount of damages being sought.

Attorneys for Dr. Weiss are filing a motion to dismiss.

Source:   nwanews.com