Go to navigation Go to content
Toll-Free: 888-333-9709
Phone: 214-346-9529
The Girards Law Firm

Q:
After years of health problems, a surgical sponge was recently found in my body, left there from a past surgery. Can I still file a medical malpractice claim?

A:

A medical malpractice attorney at Girards Law will be able to help you determine if you have a valid medical malpractice case. As we serve individuals in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, the statute of limitations can vary from state-to-state. It is, however, likely that you do have grounds to file a claim. Although your surgery took place years ago, you just discovered the sponge and have no reason to believe it was that sponge that was causing your health problems. The statute of limitations will come into play with when you discovered the sponge, not when it was originally put inside of you. 

You may be totally confused as to how an experienced surgeon could leave a foreign object inside your body, but it's truly more common than you would think. Surgical sponges and instruments are the two things that are most commonly forgotten in the body, and they are usually left in the abdominal cavity. 

Leaving a foreign object behind in someone's body can cause serious health problems, including bacterial infections and bowel obstructions. If you suspect the sponge that was left inside you contributed to or caused your health issues, you should visit a doctor to be properly evaluated. They will be able to give a professional opinion that could work to your advantage in court. 

If you feel that you were the victim of medical malpractice in Oklahoma, Texas, or Arkansas, contact the medical malpractice lawyers at Girards Law for a free consultation. Call today at 888-897-2762.