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$5 Million Motorcyle Accident
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$3 Million Leg Injury Case Involving Tractor Trailer on I-75
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$2.3 Million Leg Injury When Tractor Trailer Crossed Center Line
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$2 Million Slip & Fall at a Gas Station
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$1.6 Million Anonymous Wrongful Death Case
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$1.32 Million Man Involved in T-Bone Collision
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$1 Million Family was Rear-Ended by a Tractor Trailer
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$1 Million Client With Significant Leg Injury
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$850K Settlement for Woman Involved in T-Bone Collision With Resulting Neck Injuries
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$750K Neck Injury Involving Commercial Vehicle
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$710K Settlement for Claims Involving Injuries From Motorcycle Wreck
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$650K For Client Who Suffered a Back Injury in a Rear-End Collision
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$630K Result for a Woman Injured in an Automobile Wreck
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$579K For a Client Who Was A Passenger Involved in a Ride Share Car Accident
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$525K Result for Man Injured by Dump Truck
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$500K Settlement for Individual Injured in Accident & Suffered Broken Leg
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$497K Verdict at Trial for an Individual Who Was Struck by a Drunk Driver
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$450K For a Family Who Suffered Serious Injuries in an Automobile Accident
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$400K For a Woman Who Sustained Neck Injury in Motor Vehicle Accident
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$400K For Neck & Back Injuries Sustained When Tractor Trailer Backed Out Improperly
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$360K Settlement for a Man Injured in a Motorcycle Accident
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$350K Knee Injury Caused by Tractor Trailer
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$335K Man Rear-Ended by a Landscape Truck
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$308K Rotator Cuff Injury in a Head-On Collision
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$275K Settlement for Client Involved in Head-On Collision
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$250K For Man Who Suffered Neck Injury in Motor Vehicle Accident
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$250K For Neck Injury Case
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$235K For Officer Who Was Struck While Directing Traffic
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$200K For an Individual Was Injured in an Accident While on the Side of the Road
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$175K For a Serious Injury Claim
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$172.5K For a Woman Who Injured Her Leg at Her Neighbor’s House
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$160K Settlement for Man in Rear-End Collision
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$150K For Client Who Injured Knee in Accident When at Fault Driver Failed to Yield
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$140K For Man Injured When He Was Assaulted by Employee of Large Retail Store
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$125K For a Middle-Aged Woman Who Injured Her Elbow in a Car Accident
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$122.5K For Young Man Involved in a Head-on Collision
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$115K Settlement for Individual Struck in the Rear by Intoxicated Driver
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$110K For Car Accident Client With Back and Neck Pain
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$110K Settled for Client Injured in T-Bone Collision
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$100K Woman Who Suffered Neck & Back Pain After Rear-End Collision
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$100K Policy Limit Settlement for Client Involved in Car Accident With Shoulder Injuries
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$100K For Woman Involved in Rear-End Collision With Neck Injury
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$100K For Woman Involved in Automobile Accident & Suffered Elbow Injury
Marietta, Georgia Medical Malpractice Attorney – Retained Surgical Instrument
Retained surgical instruments may sound like the stuff of a horror movie: you go to the hospital for surgery and a sponge, gauze or a surgical instrument is left inside your body. Unfortunately, the problem of retained surgical instruments is very real, with Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare (PSQH) reporting that estimates range from 1 case of retained instruments in every 1,000 surgeries to 1 case of retained instruments for every 19,000 injuries.
Unfortunately, PSQH indicates that retained surgical instruments can cause serious health problems because the instrument often is not discovered right away. In fact, the mistake is discovered within a day in only six percent of cases. In most cases, the instrument is discovered around 21 days after the surgery, while in other instances, it may be months or years before the patient learns of the foreign body inside of him.
When a surgical instrument is accidentally left inside you, you have legal rights. You can take action with the help of a Marietta medical malpractice lawyer to hold the doctor, healthcare provider and/or hospital responsible for the consequences of their mistake. A Marietta medical malpractice lawyer can help you to obtain a variety of different types of compensation including payment of medical costs, payment for work time you miss (lost wages) and money to compensate you for emotional distress and pain and suffering. If the retained surgical instrument results in death, then surviving family members may also take legal action by filing a wrongful death claim.
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"Very knowledgeable, straight forward and communicated with me every step of the way."
I used Van Sant Law for my auto accident claim and I'm so glad I did! Parker, my attorney, was especially great. He really eased my pain and got me the best settlement possible. I highly recommend Van Sant Law. They did right by me and I'm very happy with their level of service.
- Mark A. -
"I truly felt they were in my corner and had my best interest at heart."
Van Sant Law was just the right people to call after my car accident. They were referred to me by a friend. They were helpful and understanding of my needs and pains. From start to finish they were helpful in explaining the process with the doctors and insurance. Thank you for getting me back on feet.
- Abby C. -
"David and his crew worked so hard to come to a great conclusion on my case."
I was in a car accident with a tractor trailer two years ago and David Van Sant came highly recommended for someone I could talk to about the situation. Best decision I've ever made! He fought for me in ways that was truly amazing. Thank you David, Michael and everyone in the office.
- Mary -
"My results have been positive & I would highly recommend Van Sant Law to family & friends."
I had a head on collusion that left me with a totaled car & very bad injuries. From the first time I spoke to David Van Sant to the end I have been totally satisfied. I worked with Patricia she was very compassionate yet professional she was always ready to answer any concerns that I might have. I am grateful that my daughter found this law firm for me.
- Karen J. -
"I highly recommend him as a personal injury attorney."
My attorney, David Van Sant and his law firm were outstanding in handling my personal injury case. I was out of work for a considerable amount of time due to an automobile accident and Mr. Van Sant and his entire team were always kind, professional, knowledgeable and especially available. This law firm did their absolute best to answer and return calls and at no time did I ever feel like just a number or stranger. My experience with Mr. Van Sant and his law firm (from beginning to end), were very positive as well as favorable.
- Lars S. -
"Let the Van Sant team handle your case! You're in good hands."
Attorney David M. Van Sant is one of the best injury trial attorneys here in the Atlanta area. They are precise and unique in their approach. When I had my car accident, my whole world was turned upside down, but with Attorney Van Sant and his team of professionals dedication and quality of service, my life is back on track.
- Crystal -
"They were diligent, timely, and very informative during the whole process."
Van Sant Law worked on my personal injury case, and they have gone above and beyond in representing me as a client. They gave multiple updates throughout the course of the case. I would highly recommend Van Sant to friends and family, and I would choose them as my personal injury attorney if I were to have a personal injury claim. Thank you, Van Sant Law!
- Tyriq R. -
"Van Sant is the place to go."
R. Shannon Carpenter is the guy to call! Because of him I got a far larger compensation than I ever expect and the whole process was stress free for me!
- Chase V.
The Dangers of Retained Surgical Instruments
A surgical instrument being left inside of your body presents a variety of different health risks, including a significant increased risk of infection or complications after the surgery. Patient Safety & Health Quarterly provided information about what occurs after a surgical instrument is left inside of a patient. Reporting the outcome of a 2003 ECRI Institute Study, they indicated that:
- 59 percent of patients must either stay in the hospital longer after their surgery or are readmitted at a late time.
- 69 percent of patients must undergo an additional surgery in order to remove the surgical object that was left inside during the first procedure.
- Almost 50 percent of patients develop sepsis or an infection as a result of the retained instrument.
- 15 percent of patients experience a fistula or obstruction of the small bowel
- Visceral perforation results in seven percent of cases
When a patient has to go back to the hospital or have another surgery, there are financial costs to this- as well as emotional and physical costs. Not only does the surgery have to be paid for, but the patient also undergoes the risk of going under anesthesia and additional surgical complications. In the event that infection or other medical problems develop, the situation becomes even worse as the patient may experience pain and may be at risk of serious complications including death.
Every Case Starts with the Right Call
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Anesthesia Errors
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Birth Injury
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Cancer Malpractice
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Delayed Diagnosis
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Emergency Room Errors
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Improper Procedure
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Laboratory Errors
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Lack of Informed Consent
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Misdiagnosis/Failure to Diagnose
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Nursing Errors
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Obstetrics Errors
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Pap Smear Errors
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Prescription Drug Errors
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Radiological Errors
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Retained Surgical Instrument
A Marietta Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help
A Marietta medical malpractice lawyer can assist patients who have been victimized by a doctor or surgeon leaving a surgical instrument in their bodies. Doctors and hospitals are expected to provide services to patients with a reasonable level of competence. For surgeons, this means providing care commensurate with what a reasonable doctor with a similar background and specialty would provide. For hospitals, this means having reasonable and appropriate policies in place to protect patients.
When a surgical instrument is left inside a patient, it is very clear that the surgeon did something wrong, and likely that the hospital also did not have proper safeguards and policies in place. As such, it isn’t hard to make a case that the doctor and hospital breached a legal duty and should be held legally accountable. In fact, in most cases, patients in retained surgical instruments cases don’t even have to prove negligence since a legal doctrine called res ipsa loquitor applies. This phrase literally means the thing speaks for itself. In other words, the fact that a surgical instrument could be left inside a patient is so obviously negligent that there’s no need to present additional evidence to prove it.
While it isn’t hard to prove liability in these cases, this doesn’t mean you don’t need a lawyer. In fact, being represented by a Marietta medical malpractice attorney in cases where a surgical instrument was left inside you can be even more important than in other types of malpractice cases. Doctors and healthcare providers know that they are in the wrong in these cases and may try to pressure you to accept a quick settlement or otherwise take steps to limit your right to recovery. A Marietta medical malpractice attorney will help you to stand up to the insurance companies and doctors/hospitals so you can get the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a medical error you need to speak with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our office directly at (800) 234-9556 to schedule your free consultation.
