Woman sues NorCal hospital after doctor allegedly left forceps inside her abdomen

Photo: Courtesy Michelle Jenni An x-ray shows a pair of 8-inch forceps lodged inside a California...

A California woman is suing a Redding hospital and physician after an 8-inch surgical instrument was allegedly left in her abdomen following a medical procedure.

Susanville resident Mary Harber, 52, underwent surgery at Shasta Regional Medical Center last spring to have a benign tumor removed from her abdomen, according to the woman's lawyer, Michelle Jenni.

Less than a week after the procedure, Jenni said Harber began experiencing pain in her abdomen, kidney and back, which spurred her to visit a local emergency room. An X-ray revealed a pair of 8-inch-long forceps inside her midsection.

Harber was flown to Shasta Regional, Jenni said, where 18 inches of her small intestine had been removed, because the flesh "had looped into one of the forceps' finger holes and become necrotic," the lawyer said.

Harber filed a malpractice lawsuit against Shasta Regional in Shasta County Superior Court and Shasta Regional physician Richard Mooney, who was involved in the first surgery as well as the forceps removal, the lawyer said.

The lawsuit entitles Harber to coverage of any medical and out-of-pocket expenses, as well as pain and suffering damages.

According to Jenni, Harber is "doing well now" and has been able to resume her regular activities.

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.