Kentucky Couple Awarded $2.5 Million

A jury in the medical malpractice case of Sophia Savage has reached a verdict and awarded Mrs. Savage and her husband Darrell $2.5 million in damages.

In 2001, Sophia had a hysterectomy at Three Rivers Medical Center, where she was also employed as a nurse.  It was during this surgery that the Savages claim something went terribly wrong.  Their lawsuit alleged that a surgical sponge was left inside Sophia’s abdomen when she was closed up after the procedure.

The sponge remained inside Savage until 2005 when an x-ray was performed on her following her continued complaints of pain.

Sophia was forced to undergo an additional surgery to remove the sponge, at which point doctors discovered that it had lodged in her lower intestines.  To remove the sponge, surgeons had to also remove a 49 centimeter long section of Savage’s small intestine.  This has left her with the lingering affects of diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation as well as depression and anxiety.

The settlement amount provides for $1.9 million for pain and suffering (past and future) and just under $66,000 for medical expenses Savage has incurred from the ordeal.  Her husband was awarded an additional $500,000 for loss of consortium.

Surgical errors like this happen all too frequently, and the negligent parties at fault must be held responsible, as in this case.  If you have suffered damages as a result of surgical malpractice, don’t hesitate to contact a medical lawyer.