Nightmare in Klaipėda hospital: lifelong paralysis after simple surgery

A planned surgery at the Republican Klaipėda Hospital has left a woman with a 90% disability, leading her to sue the state for 100,000 euros in non-pecuniary damages and over 26,000 euros in material damages. The woman, who previously worked as a cleaner and danced in an ensemble, had sought treatment for spinal stenosis.

According to the lawsuit, during the March 2023 operation, surgeons removed part of her spinal tissue and inserted intervertebral implants. However, they allegedly did not perform additional fixation. More than a day after the surgery, on a weekend, her condition worsened dramatically. She reported experiencing excruciating pain, but claims the on-call doctor was not summoned, and she was only given painkillers.

This intense pain reportedly continued throughout the weekend. It was only on Monday morning, when her operating surgeon returned, that a CT scan revealed the implant had dislodged and migrated into the spinal canal, compressing nerve structures. A second, emergency surgery was performed to remove the implant and stabilize her spine, but the lawsuit states it was too late. The woman developed paralysis in her feet, loss of sensation in her perineal area, and impaired organ function.

Despite her severe condition, the Health Ministry's commission for determining harm to patient health rejected her claim, stating the harm was unavoidable. She has now turned to lawyers and the Klaipėda Regional Court, seeking compensation for her lost health, paralysis, mental anguish, and ruined future, arguing the sum should cover her lifelong losses.

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When a person seeks help from doctors and trusts them, the opposite result became a shocking blow. The awarded amount must compensate for the losses of the rest of life, which can no longer be restored.