Lawsuit Claims Mother Permanently Disabled After Routine Procedure
A Devastating Experience
Maria Rodriguez, a mother of three, had a routine surgery to remove her fallopian tubes at Jackson Memorial Hospital in November 2022. The procedure was supposed to be a simple, 30-minute procedure with minimal risk of complications. However, her experience turned out to be a nightmare.
The Procedure Gone Wrong
Rodriguez was told by her doctor that the procedure would be an "in-and-out" procedure, with no need for an overnight hospital stay. However, things took a turn for the worse when the trocar, a pen-shaped instrument used in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, broke and fragmented, leaving pieces inside her body.
Reaching Out for Help
The procedure turned into a 10-hour ordeal, with doctors opening Rodriguez’s wounds to look for the plastic pieces. Unfortunately, they were unable to find them, and the procedure left her with a severe infection, multiple surgeries, and a range of complications, including a stroke, psychological disturbances, blood clots, blurred vision, and the amputation of several fingers on her right hand.
The Aftermath
Rodriguez’s life was forever changed. She is now permanently disabled and unable to perform even the simplest tasks, such as driving or picking up her children. Her husband, Rolando Oliva, describes her as a strong woman who is now weak and mentally beat up.
The Lawsuit
Rodriguez has filed a lawsuit against the trocar’s manufacturer, Applied Medical Resources Corporation, and Jackson Health System, among others. The lawsuit claims that the company knew its products were prone to breaking and that the procedure was botched due to the defective equipment.
Investigation
The FDA has received over a dozen reports of problems involving the device since 2015, including cases of it cracking, bending, or breaking. The lawsuits claims that doctors are not being told about the risks associated with the device.
Conclusion
Rodriguez’s story is a cautionary tale about the importance of patient safety and the need for transparency in the medical industry. Her case highlights the devastating consequences of defective medical equipment and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such incidents.
FAQs
Q: What is a trocar?
A: A trocar is a pen-shaped instrument used in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to access the abdominal cavity.
Q: What happened to Maria Rodriguez during her procedure?
A: The trocar broke and fragmented, leaving pieces inside her body, and she required multiple surgeries to remove them.
Q: What are the allegations in the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit claims that the manufacturer knew its products were prone to breaking, and the hospital botched the procedure due to defective equipment.
Q: What are the consequences for Maria Rodriguez?
A: She is permanently disabled, unable to perform even simple tasks, and has undergone multiple surgeries and complications, including the amputation of several fingers on her right hand.
Q: What is the response from the manufacturer?
A: The company claims to follow stringent manufacturing practices and is investigating the matter.
