A woman in another state had a needle had been stuck in her back for years. She filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor and the physicians group allegedly responsible for the medical mistake and was recently awarded more than half a million dollars. When doctors in New York and other states fail to properly treat patients and cause them more harm than good, these patients may have the right to seek full financial accountability from them through the legal system.
The woman asserted that a hypodermic needle remained embedded in her back for almost seven years and was an inch and a half long. It became lodged in the woman’s back during an injection treatment for degenerative and bulging discs. The medical procedure occurred in 2009.
The woman accused her doctor and the physicians group of negligence after the needle became stuck. According to the woman’s attorney, efforts to remove the needle were unsuccessful. A jury after a recent trial that lasted four days awarded the woman $507,000. The doctor and physicians group are reportedly planning to appeal.
If medical professionals in New York do not exercise a reasonable degree of care when treating patients, they may be held liable in civil court for the harm caused. Restitution from a medical malpractice case that is presented successfully may help to cover hospital-related expenses, the loss of wages and other damages. It is necessary for liability to be established by competent proof before a judge will decide claims for monetary damages.
Source: charlotteobserver.com, “Missouri woman wins $507K judgment in needle-in-back case”, Sept. 5, 2016
