Tamesha Means, a 30-year-old woman, underwent a scheduled C-section at a Naval hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2020. During the procedure, a critical error occurred: the surgeon accidentally cut Means’ bladder and ureter. This mistake went unnoticed during the surgery, and Means was discharged without being informed of the damage.
Following her discharge, Means experienced severe abdominal pain and complications. She sought medical attention repeatedly, but doctors initially misdiagnosed her condition. The true extent of the damage only became apparent when she eventually consulted an outside urologist.
Corrective surgery was required to repair the damage to her bladder and ureter, causing further pain, distress, and lasting health issues, including bladder spasms and urinary incontinence. Means sued the U.S. government for medical malpractice under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
The case highlighted a lack of proper communication and a delayed diagnosis that exacerbated Means’ suffering. The government conceded negligence and acknowledged the surgical error. After a trial, a federal judge awarded Means $2.5 million in damages, citing her pain, suffering, future medical expenses, and loss of enjoyment of life due to the botched surgery. The compensation aims to address the significant physical and emotional toll the medical error inflicted on Means.
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