Doctor, hospital sued after surgical implement allegedly left in patient following surgery

GRETNA – A woman who claims a surgical implement was left in her following a surgery and later had to be removed in emergency surgery is claiming medical malpractice.

Monica Oakley filed suit against Dr. James B. Woolridge Jr., Ochsner Clinic Foundation and Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans in the 24th Judicial District Court on Nov. 19.

Oakley alleges that on Oct. 27, 2011 she underwent surgery conducted by Woolridge to remove a gastric band that had previously been implanted in her. The plaintiff contends that on Oct. 30, two days after the procedure, she was rushed to the hospital by ambulance complaining of severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Oakley asserts that a CT scan taken at the the hospital showed that a foreign object had been left in her body following the surgery. In a subsequent surgery on Oct. 31, 2011, the foreign object was identified as a surgical implement, which the surgeon removed.

The defendant is accused of medical malpractice.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for medical expenses, permanent disfigurement, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability and cost of future care.

Oakley is represented by Sarah Norwood Trouard of the Baton Rouge-based Law Offices Of Vincent J. DeSalvo.

The case has been assigned to Division O Judge Ross P. LaDart.

Case no. 744-415.