Man suing after hospital mistakenly removes his testicles
By Jeff Zent
The Forum - 08/17/2001
An area man is suing the U.S. government, claiming doctors at Fargo’s veterans’ hospital removed his testicles after misdiagnosing him with cancer.

Leslie Carlson of Wadena County, Minn., filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the federal government Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Fargo.

In the suit, Carlson says he went to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Fargo in the summer of 1998 for treatment of a prostate condition.

Doctors wrongly diagnosed Carlson with cancer, claiming that it had metastasized to his spine and advised him to undergo surgery to remove his testicles, the lawsuit says. The hospital’s medical staff performed the surgery Nov. 25, 1998, according to the lawsuit.

After the surgery, Carlson learned that he was not stricken with cancer, said his attorney, Morrison Kershner of Fergus Falls, Minn.

 

 

“They misread the X-ray” Kershner said. “It’ turned out to be arthritis.

“I don’t think that’s going to be an area of contention,” Kershner said.

Government officials have received Carlson’s claim and are reviewing it, said Ronnie Miller, the hospital’s public information officer.

Miller said she could not discuss pending litigation.

Carlson, in his late 60s, has lost substantial quality of life, Kershner said. He is seeking unspecified damages.

“We seek a fair compensation for a big injury,” Kershner said.

Under terms of the Federal Tort Claims Act, a U.S. District judge will decide the lawsuit. It will not be heard by a jury.

Readers can reach Forum reporter

Jeff Zent at (701) 241-5526

Gotta have something to scratch
on the way to the bathroom after
waking up.

This is a freakin horror story,man!

sounds like malpractice to me!