Roxborough Memorial Hospital and doctor sued over surgical mishap

A Philadelphia man who claims he sustained various injuries after doctors failed to remove an item from his body during surgery is suing the doctor who performed the procedure, as well as the hospital where the surgery took place.

Philadelphia attorney Lee S. Bender, of the law firm of Joseph Chaiken & Associates, P.C., filed the medical malpractice claim Sept. 28 at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Roosevelt Choice.

The defendants named in the civil action are Solis Healthcare, LP, doing business as Roxborough Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Michael Marcucci.

According to the complaint, Choice underwent surgery at Roxborough Memorial Hospital in Northwest Philadelphia Feb. 17 of this year for placement of a Port-a-cath, which is used during chemotherapy.

Unbeknownst to the plaintiff, the suit claims, the defendants failed to remove a 20 cm “guidewire” that had been inserted during the procedure.

As result of the incident, Choice sustained “severe, grievous and permanent injuries,” the lawsuit claims, including loss of sensation and movement and function of the muscles, tissues, bones and nerves.

His injuries have caused Choice to undergo various medical procedures and treatments, including additional surgeries and extensive recovery efforts.

The lawsuit claims that Choice also suffered inconvenience, mental anguish, emotional pain, stress, distress, embarrassment, humiliation and loss of life’s pleasures. He has also been prevented from carrying out his daily chores, activities and occupations, and has experienced financial detriment and loss.

The lawsuit accuses the defendants of carelessness and negligence for failing to remove the guidewire during the initial surgical procedure, failing to properly account for the item during surgery, improperly causing the plaintiff to endure a retained foreign body, failing to properly and/or continuously monitor the plaintiff’s condition during post-operative care, failing to warn the plaintiff of the dangers and risks of the surgery and its post-operative potential complications and treatment, and failing to inform the patient of the mistakes made during surgery.

Choice demands judgment against the defendants, jointly and/or severally, in a sum in excess of $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs.

A jury trial has not been demanded.

The case number is 110903308.