Widow claims medical malpractice after sponge left in husband allegedly led to severe infection

GRETNA – A widow is suing a local hospital claiming a sponge was left in her husband after a surgery that led to a severe infection.

Mary F. Hines, on behalf of her deceased husband Jack D. Hines III, filed suit against Ochsner Clinic Foundation, Adowa Serwah, Opoku-Boateng M.D. and Thomas Jinku Jang M.D. in the 24th Judicial District Court on Aug. 4.

According to the complaint, Jack D. Hines III, underwent a biopsy surgery performed by Opoku-Boateng to assess the nature of plaque in his abdomen. The plaintiff alleges after the procedure Hines experienced great pain and Opoku-Boateng found a large pool of blood in his abdomen and subsequently packed the area with sponges. Hines asserts that following the second procedure her husband was diagnosed with kidney failure and life threatening sepsis.

The plaintiff contends a CT scan later revealed a foreign body was left in and another was performed to remove what was revealed as a pad that had accidentally been left in his abdomen during the previous surgery. After this procedure the plaintiff’s husband’s wounds could not be fully closed due to infection and he was left with a large wound from his sternum to his navel. Hines claims her husband’s wounds took several months to heal and caused significant pain and discomfort.

The defendant is accused of medical malpractice.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for general and equitable relief.

Hines is represented by Rachel A. Sternlieb of New Orleans-based Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division N Judge Stephen D. Enright Jr.

Case no. 740-933.