Denver VA Hospital Leaves Surgical Clamps in Patient

Full Article at: Man sues over clamp surgeons at Denver VA hospital left in his body during heart surgery

By Associated Press

11:05 AM MST, February 17, 2010
DENVER (AP) — A man who had heart surgery at the Denver VA Medical Center is suing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for $15 million after surgeons left a clamp in his body.

Richard Kellar had a triple coronary artery bypass in 2005.

Six months later, after an MRI for another medical problem, doctors found a 1.5-inch clamp still inside him, behind his heart.

The hospital offered to pay Kellar $100,000 for its mistake, but Kellar refused.

U.S. Attorney David Gaouette says the government agrees Kellar should be compensated but disagrees on the amount. He says the government's evidence will show no ill effects from the clamp, though Kellar disagrees.

A trial is set for March 10.