Most Kentucky patients would expect their surgeon to inform them if they had an organ mistakenly removed. Unfortunately, that is not the case for one woman in a nearby state, she had to learn about the mistakes made in her surgery through a news story. She has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the medical facility and physicians involved.
The patient received news that she likely had pancreatic cancer, and a biopsy was performed to confirm the diagnosis. A hospital pathologist reported that the patient did have pancreatic cancer, and with the guidance of her surgeon, she elected to have the majority of her pancreas removed. Once her pancreas was removed, it was discovered that the patient did not have cancer, and the hospital allegedly chose not to inform the patient. Without her pancreas, she will have lifelong symptoms and require ongoing medical treatment.
Later, the surgeon presented the patient with a legal document encouraging her to sign and agree that all the care and treatment she received was wonderful. She did not sign the document and became curious as to why the surgeon wanted her to sign it. After some investigating, she discovered that a different pathologist had filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the hospital where she had her surgery, concerning the cover up of her alleged misdiagnoses.
Typically, physicians strive to do the best for a patient, but in some instances, their mistakes can affect and permanently change a person’s life. Like the woman in this case, patients who suffer medical malpractice mistakes may need indefinite lifelong medical care that can be expensive. Attorneys in Kentucky can advise patients who suspect they have suffered from malpractice of their legal rights and options in civil court.
Source:Â kshb.com, “Lawsuit: KU Health System doctor misdiagnosed patient, removed parts of organs“, Jessica McMaster, Aug. 11, 2017