Surgeons Left Towel in Man; He Gets $455,000
From Times Wire Reports
A man whose doctors left a 16-by-28-inch surgical towel in his abdomen after he underwent surgery for an aortic aneurysm was awarded $455,000 in damages by a Miami judge.
William Barlow, 62, developed a blood infection and fever after leaving the veterans hospital in December 2000, according to a summary of the case. The towel was removed four months later.
The VA conceded fault but tried to limit the damage award, citing Barlow’s poor health and obesity.
Must-read stories from the L.A. Times
Get the day's top news with our Today's Headlines newsletter, sent every weekday morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.