Medical errors often cause unimaginable and sometimes irreversible health consequences. In a case underscoring the need for accountability in healthcare, a United States Navy veteran faced a troubling medical emergency eight years after undergoing surgery. Our legal team is working diligently to seek justice for the individual harmed by medical negligence.
The Initial Emergency
In 2016, the veteran rushed to the emergency room with a perforated gastric ulcer—a critical condition where an untreated stomach ulcer creates a hole in the stomach lining, allowing contents to spill into the abdominal cavity. Surgeons performed emergency surgery to address the ulcer, which seemed to resolve the issue.
A Shocking Revelation
Fast-forward to July 2024: The veteran began experiencing severe pain, behavioral health changes, bleeding, and other alarming symptoms. Medical testing, including an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy revealed the unthinkable: a 12-inch endotracheal (ET) tube lodged inside the stomach.
Endotracheal tubes are designed to keep airways open and assist breathing, they do not reside in the gastrointestinal tract. Shockingly, the tube was blackened and corroded, indicating it had been there since the 2016 surgery.
The Concealed Truth
This case is particularly troubling due to the alleged concealment of the error. The surgical records from 2016 omitted any mention of the tube, and the patient was never informed of the incident. Between 2016 and 2024, the veteran underwent no additional surgeries, leaving negligence during the original operation as the only plausible explanation for how the tube ended up in their stomach.
Impact and Implications
This case is about more than one individual—it highlights a system that failed to provide proper medical care. Every patient deserves competent and ethical treatment, especially veterans who have selflessly served our country.
Veterans often face unique medical challenges related to their service and should never endure negligence in their care. Errors like this are inexcusable because they not only cause physical pain and suffering but also erode trust in the institutions designed to protect and support veterans.
The implications go beyond this single case. It underscores the need for greater oversight of medical practices within military and veterans’ healthcare systems to ensure no other veteran suffers from preventable errors or the concealment of critical information.
Pursuing Justice
The veteran, along with the Oliver Bell Group, is now pursuing legal action against the surgeon and treatment facility responsible for the initial surgery. Investigators are working to determine whether the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contributed to the negligence. This case highlights the devastating impact medical malpractice can have on patients and their families.
Why Medical Malpractice Claims Matter
Cases like this highlight the critical need for accountability in healthcare. A retained foreign object not only violates basic medical standards but also subjects patients to years of pain and suffering. Medical malpractice lawsuits are often the only recourse for individuals to secure compensation for physical, financial, and emotional damages. It is crucial to pursue justice and prevent future harm to others.
If you or a loved one has been affected by medical negligence, you deserve to have your voice heard. Contact us today to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
