Vet files claim after wrong testicle removed

VampiricuS · 04-05-2007, 11:29 PM

• Veteran was supposed to have potentially cancerous left testicle removed
• Instead, doctors at VA hospital removed healthy right testicle
• Veteran has filed federal claim against hospital
• Hospital has apologized; can't comment further because of litigation

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- An Air Force veteran has filed a federal claim after an operation at a Veterans Administration hospital in which a healthy testicle was removed instead of a potentially cancerous one.

Benjamin Houghton, 47, was to have had his left testicle removed June 14 at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center because there was a chance it could harbor cancer cells. It also was atrophied and painful.

But doctors mistakenly removed the right testicle, according to medical records and the claim, which seeks $200,000 for future care and unspecified damages. He still hasn't had the other testicle removed.

"At first I thought it was a joke," Houghton told the Los Angeles Times. "Then I was shocked. I told them, 'What do I do now?"'

Houghton, his wife, Monica, and their attorney, Dr. Susan Friery, said they hoped to get the VA's attention by going public with the situation.

Dr. Dean Norman, chief of staff for the Greater Los Angeles VA system, has formally apologized to Houghton and his wife.

"We are making every attempt that we can to care for Mr. Houghton, but it's in litigation, and that's all we can tell you," he said. The hospital changed practices as a result of the case, he added.

Ref. CNN

(what? no balls in the military?? You must be mad!)

unf · 04-06-2007, 12:27 AM

haha

GeoKill-----> · 04-06-2007, 01:04 AM

That sucks balls.... oh wait not anymore

Player · 04-06-2007, 11:39 AM

It is through reading crap like this that I came to the conclusion that if I were to ever have a tattoo, I would have a complete body tattoo stating where each organ was and which, if there were two of said organ, position it was at: left or right.

Medical incompetence is fucking stupid.

There was a case in the Uk a while back where a man had the wrong kidney removed/replaced and later died...nice work!

04-05-2007, 11:29 PM	#1
VampiricuS I want to work here Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 1 Times	Vet files claim after wrong testicle removed • Veteran was supposed to have potentially cancerous left testicle removed • Instead, doctors at VA hospital removed healthy right testicle • Veteran has filed federal claim against hospital • Hospital has apologized; can't comment further because of litigation LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- An Air Force veteran has filed a federal claim after an operation at a Veterans Administration hospital in which a healthy testicle was removed instead of a potentially cancerous one. Benjamin Houghton, 47, was to have had his left testicle removed June 14 at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center because there was a chance it could harbor cancer cells. It also was atrophied and painful. But doctors mistakenly removed the right testicle, according to medical records and the claim, which seeks $200,000 for future care and unspecified damages. He still hasn't had the other testicle removed. "At first I thought it was a joke," Houghton told the Los Angeles Times. "Then I was shocked. I told them, 'What do I do now?"' Houghton, his wife, Monica, and their attorney, Dr. Susan Friery, said they hoped to get the VA's attention by going public with the situation. Dr. Dean Norman, chief of staff for the Greater Los Angeles VA system, has formally apologized to Houghton and his wife. "We are making every attempt that we can to care for Mr. Houghton, but it's in litigation, and that's all we can tell you," he said. The hospital changed practices as a result of the case, he added. Ref. CNN (what? no balls in the military?? You must be mad!)

04-06-2007, 12:27 AM	#2
unf TFC since 99' Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas, Plano Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	haha

04-06-2007, 01:04 AM	#3
GeoKill-----> Community Member Server Owner Beta Tester Forum Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Hawthorne, California Class/Position: Soldier/Spy/Scout Gametype: AvD Affiliations: :e0:Eternal Order Leader Posts Rated Helpful 12 Times	That sucks balls.... oh wait not anymore

04-06-2007, 11:39 AM	#4
Player D&A Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Europe Posts Rated Helpful 1 Times	It is through reading crap like this that I came to the conclusion that if I were to ever have a tattoo, I would have a complete body tattoo stating where each organ was and which, if there were two of said organ, position it was at: left or right. Medical incompetence is fucking stupid. There was a case in the Uk a while back where a man had the wrong kidney removed/replaced and later died...nice work!

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