Florida Surgeon Removes Wrong Organ From Man, Killing Him, Law Firm Says

What Happened?

A Florida surgeon erroneously removed the wrong organ from a man, leading to his death, according to a law firm representing the victim's family.

The patient, identified as 55-year-old John Huggins, underwent surgery at HCA Florida Northside Hospital in Jacksonville on June 24th, 2023, to have his gallbladder removed.

However, instead of removing the gallbladder, the surgeon allegedly removed part of Huggins' pancreas, a vital organ responsible for producing digestive enzymes and regulating blood sugar.

Aftermath and Investigation

Huggins died on July 11th, 2023, as a result of the surgical error. His family has since retained the services of the Morgan & Morgan law firm, which specializes in medical malpractice cases.

The law firm has launched an investigation into the incident and is reviewing Huggins' medical records to determine the exact cause of the error.

The Florida Department of Health is also investigating the case and has not yet released any findings.

Legal Action and Impact

Morgan & Morgan has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against HCA Florida Northside Hospital and the surgeon who performed the surgery.

The lawsuit alleges that the hospital and surgeon were negligent in their care of Huggins and failed to follow proper surgical procedures, resulting in his death.

The case has raised concerns about the quality of medical care in Florida and the need for increased oversight of surgical procedures.

Preventing Similar Incidents

To prevent similar incidents from occurring, several measures can be taken:

• Enhanced training for surgeons on proper surgical techniques.
• Implementation of checklists and protocols to ensure correct organ identification during surgery.
• Increased use of technology, such as imaging, to assist in organ identification.
• Regular audits and inspections of hospitals to ensure compliance with medical standards.

By implementing these measures, the medical community can work to reduce the risk of surgical errors and improve patient safety.