Malpractice case filed against surgeon for leaving sponge in patient

A woman is suing a local doctor and hospital claiming a sponge was left in her husband during surgery to remove cancer.

Eva Hartley filed suit in Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Dec. 20 against Tulane University Hospital and Clinics and Dr. Charles Bellows.

Hartley's suit claims Dr. Bellows left a sponge in the abdomen of her husband, Adolph Hartley, Sr., during surgery to remove cancer from his esophagus. The suit seeks to hold Dr. Bellows liable for inattentiveness during the operation, which led to the misplacement of the sponge. The sponge is alleged to have been left in Hartley for a month before being removed.

The plaintiffs are seeking a Medical Review Panel Hearing.

Hartley is being represented by Covington-based attorney Carl A. Perkins.

The case has been assigned to Division H Judge Michael G. Bagneris.

Case number 2011-13042