No matter what type of surgery performed, surgeons use a variety of tools and objects to help them successfully and safely finish their work. When left inside of the body after the operation, these objects become dangerous and may require additional surgery to remove.

When surgeons or surgery staff are negligent in their care, patients are left to pay the price. A well-versed Hudson Valley objects left in body lawyer could file a claim on your behalf to pursue justice for your suffering. You might be entitled to monetary compensation and a dedicated surgical error attorney could help you recover damages.

What Are the Statute of Limitations for Objects Left in the Body?

Patients who have had objects left inside of them after a surgical procedure should know that they are only provided with a certain time frame to file a lawsuit. Under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 214-a, medical malpractice cases must be filed within two years and six months of the date of the injury.  However, for patients who are filing a malpractice lawsuit due to an object left in their body after surgery, the statute of limitations is only one year after the discovery of the object or after the object should have reasonably been discovered.

Do Settlement Negotiations Extend the Statute of Limitations?

Unlike some other states, New York does not require medical malpractice plaintiffs and defendants to attempt to settle, see a mediator, or obtain the permission of a medical panel to file their case in court. Although the plaintiff and the defendant could choose to take these actions, it is not required.

Even if the parties to the lawsuit decide to negotiate a settlement, the statute of limitations remains the same. No extensions will be provided if a plaintiff fails in their attempts at a negotiating a settlement. Injured individuals should consult with a Hudson Valley objects left in body attorney as soon as possible after learning of their injuries to determine the best course of action in their case.

Complications from Objects Left in the Body after Surgery

When a patient has sponges, scissors, tweezers, gloves, clamps, or other surgical items left inside of their body after surgery, they could experience a variety of symptoms and complications. Complications that commonly occur include:

  • Infection
  • Severe pain
  • Digestive system problems
  • Fever
  • Swelling
  • Internal bleeding
  • Damage to internal organs or obstructions
  • Loss of part of an internal organ

Other Complications

They may also have prolonged hospital stays, additional surgery to remove the object, or their condition could even be fatal. Leaving an object inside of a patient after surgery usually has severe consequences. The negligent medical professionals responsible should be held liable by the patient’s objects left in body lawyer in Hudson Valley for the damages they cause.

Contact a Hudson Valley Objects Left in Body Attorney

After discovering that a foreign object was left inside of you after surgery, you need a reliable attorney on your side. A skilled Hudson Valley objects left in body lawyer could help you seek the damages you deserve for your medical bills, pain, suffering, and other losses you experienced due to their error. Call to schedule your case evaluation today and learn about your legal options.