Retained Foreign Object Lawyers in Maine

Justice for Retained Object Malpractice

No one should ever leave surgery with something inside their body that does not belong there. Unfortunately, patients nationwide have suffered traumatic harm because surgical teams leave instruments, sponges, or other foreign objects inside the body, a mistake that should never happen.

If you or a loved one suffered due to a retained foreign object after surgery, you have rights. At Berman & Simmons, we are a state-wide law firm representing patients across Maine whose lives have been upended by such medical errors. 

As Maine’s premier medical malpractice firm, we know how to hold hospitals and medical professionals accountable for life-altering surgical errors. We understand the high stakes for you and your family, and what it takes to fight for the answers, justice, and compensation you deserve.

Book a free consultation with a Maine retained foreign object attorney at our firm by contacting us online or at (207) 417-4199. You can consult us by phone, in person, or virtually from anywhere.

Surgical Errors Involving Retained Foreign Objects

A retained foreign object (RFO) is any surgical item unintentionally left inside a patient’s body after a medical procedure. These items can include:

• Surgical sponges or gauze
• Forgotten surgical clips or loose staples
• Surgical tools like forceps, clamps, or scissors
• Scalpels or blades
• Needles or broken instrument pieces
• Tubing or catheters that were supposed to be removed
• Towels, retractors, or measuring devices

Medical safety organizations classify retained foreign objects as "never events,” meaning serious, preventable incidents that should never occur in a properly managed surgical environment.

The Consequences Can Be Life-Altering

Retained foreign objects can lead to serious and often permanent injuries, including:

• Severe infections or sepsis
• Organ damage or internal bleeding
• Chronic pain and inflammation
• Abscesses or fistulas (body parts that are wrongfully connected)
• Repeat surgeries and long-term complications
• Emotional trauma and psychological distress

In some cases, retained objects may cause death, particularly if they go undetected or are misdiagnosed for too long.

Who May Be Responsible?

A retained foreign object is the result of a healthcare system failure, and multiple parties may be legally responsible, including:

• Surgeons and surgical assistants
• Nurses responsible for surgical counts
• Hospitals or surgical centers for poor staffing, lack of training, or faulty safety procedures
• Medical device manufacturers, in rare cases involving defective instruments

At Berman & Simmons, we investigate thoroughly to identify precisely where the failure occurred and who should be held accountable. 

What Compensation May Be Available?

In a successful retained foreign object claim, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills, including future care and additional surgeries
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent injury or disability
• Wrongful death damages if you lost a loved one

At Berman & Simmons, we work closely with medical and financial experts to determine the full impact of the injury on your life and demand commensurate compensation.

Why You Need Legal Representation

Cases involving surgical errors like retained foreign objects are highly technical and often aggressively defended by hospitals and insurers. 

You need an experienced legal team that can: 

• Prove negligence using expert medical testimony
• Uncover documentation errors or safety failures
• Calculate the full extent of your financial and emotional losses
• Fight back against powerful medical institutions