4. Medical Malpractice
Limited in part by statutory caps, a confidential settlement has just been reached against a hospital for death of an unmarried mother of two. During surgery lap sponges were not removed and remained in the abdomen resulting in undetected infection. Operating room records showed the sponge count to be correct, misleading subsequent treating physicians trying to diagnose the patient's enigmatic deterioration after the routine but emergency procedure. Autopsy revealed the sponges wrapped in intestine. Careful thorough analysis before and during pre-suit discovery led to early mediation settlement after the lawsuit was filed.