Surgical mishaps can have lasting impacts, and one patient is taking legal action to address the alleged negligence that led to his prolonged suffering. Sami Kattan has filed a lawsuit against Scott Norris, D.O., and Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute, P.A., in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida on January 22, 2025. The complaint centers around an ACL reconstruction surgery gone awry.
The plaintiff, Sami Kattan, claims that during a surgical procedure on May 12, 2023, Dr. Scott Norris used a FlipCutter surgical drill which resulted in a metallic foreign body being left inside Kattan's knee. Despite ongoing complaints of significant pain post-surgery, it wasn't until June 24, 2023, that imaging studies revealed the presence of this foreign object. A subsequent arthroscopic surgery confirmed it was the tip of the FlipCutter drill left behind during the initial operation. This oversight forced Kattan to undergo an additional unnecessary surgery and endure further injury and distress.
Kattan's lawsuit accuses Dr. Norris of deviating from accepted medical standards by failing to inspect surgical tools properly and not recognizing that part of the equipment was left inside his knee. The suit also holds Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute accountable for its role in supervising and providing healthcare services through its staff and agents like Dr. Norris. The institute is charged with negligence for not ensuring all surgical components were accounted for post-operation.
Kattan seeks compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 for the physical harm endured due to these alleged negligent acts. He is also pursuing recovery of attorney fees, costs, and prejudgment interest under Florida statutes related to medical malpractice claims. The lawsuit underscores compliance with pre-suit requirements mandated by Chapter 766 of Florida Statutes before filing this legal action.
Representing Sami Kattan are attorneys Michael A. Hersh and Ian M. Kirtman from Hersh Kirtman Injury Law based in Boca Raton, Florida. The case is identified as Case Number: 502025CA000596XXXAMB.