The Journal Register News Service has reported that due to a surgeon handing over a routine procedure to a resident, a woman suffered with debilitating permanent injuries that resulted in a $2.5 million medical malpractice verdict.
The woman, A.G., 29, claimed that her physician did not tell her that he was allowing a resident to perform a dilation and curettage procedure she required following a 2007 miscarriage.
The award was handed down by a jury in Washtenaw County Circuit Court during the week of December 5.
Reporters learned directly from A.G. some of what she had been through during a recent press conference. She stated that after loosing her fetus at 14 weeks in a miscarriage, her obstetrician and gynecologist, Dr. N.G., told her that she required a dilation and curettage.
Allegedly Dr. N.G. told A.G. that she would "be home by lunch" following the routine procedure. A.G. added, "I was assured by the doctor that the procedure would be quick and that I would be out quickly."
But, instead of Dr. N.G. performing the procedure, as understood by A.G., he allowed a resident physician to dilate A.G.'s cervix - perforating her uterus in the process. In her lawsuit, A.G. contended that Dr. N.G. failed to supervise the resident.
The resident, then, in the course of the surgery, allegedly inserted a ring forceps, through the perforated uterus, grabbing onto a section of the patient's bowel. The bowel then snapped back, tearing both the rectum and bowel.
Due to the failure of the curettage A.G. was required to have another procedure - a Ileostomy - to create a new opening on the surface of her skin. The new opening was needed so that A.G. could pass her intestinal waste, in a bag, that she had to wear outside of her body.
A.G. wore the Ileostomy bag for a total of three months.
Since then A.G. has permanently lost a section of her bowel, and rectum, and continues to suffer with pain, scarring and a change in her bowel patterns.
A.G. told reporters, "When the procedure was taking place I was only aware of Dr. N.G. performing it. I was shocked to discover the resident had taken over after the procedure had taken place."
Attorney Sam Meklir represented A.G. in the suit. He added, "I am satisfied with the verdict. Our law firm is seeing more and more of these types of cases brought forth everyday."
A.G. concluded, "I definitely now give more thought to the term 'routine procedure' and I urge anyone to think twice when being told the same. I know resident doctors need to learn, but when I have a choice I don't think I would ever let another one perform any type of procedure on me after what happened."
A medical malpractice lawsuit is warranted if you, or a family member, have been injured by a member of the medical community. Contact a medical malpractice attorney to best suit your needs.