Surgeons Left Towel in Man; He Gets $455,000
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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.
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