Hospital’s Negligence Resulted In A Woman Losing Her Legs

When a person goes to the hospital for a simple procedure they do not expect to suffer serious complications that will affect them for the rest of their life.  However, that is what happened to one woman at a Long Island hospital.  She went in for a simple gynecological procedure to remove an ectopic pregnancy.  She was supposed to be in and out of the hospital in one day.  During the procedure the surgeon punctured her colon, which led to blood poisoning and gangrene.  As a result both of her feet needed to be amputated and she has lost most of her hearing.

The patient, Stacey Galette, went into the hospital for a simple procedure and was discharged after the operation.  However, the next day she returned to the hospital because her stomach had started to swell.  More surgeries were done but doctors were not able to stop the damage the first operation had started.

During her 73 day stay at the hospital’s intensive care unit in 2009, Galette went into cardiac arrest three times, was put in a medically induced coma for three weeks, underwent a colostomy and skin grafts, and to contain the infection raging throughout her body, powerful antibiotics were pumped into her body.  As a result of the large amounts of antibiotics, Galette suffered hearing loss.  Due to gangrene, both her feet were amputated, and later during her hospitalization, both of her legs, below the knee, were amputated.

Galette now needs to use prosthetics and is just starting to be able to walk again, which has been a very painful process for her.  She has not been able to work and is on “total disability.”  It is also very difficult for her to take care of her 10 year old daughter.

Galette is now suing the hospital for medical malpractice and is seeking an unspecified amount of damages.  The attorneys for the hospital have argued that the health care providers listened to Galette’s complaints and adjusted her treatment accordingly.  They also argued that Galatte has made a remarkable recovery and will be able to work again and she will have a productive life despite the serious side effects of her treatment.

The attorneys for Galette say she has suffered incredible pain and suffering and will continue to for “the next 50 years.”  Whether there was negligence in this case will be determined by a jury of 10.  They will also determine the amount of monetary damages Galette will be able to recover for her ongoing medical care and emotional distress.

But what do you think?  I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment or I also welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com.  You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.