Woman Sues Hospital After Surgeon Accidentally Cuts Bile Duct
A 28-year-old woman is suing a Saraburi hospital after a surgeon accidentally cut her bile duct during gallstone surgery, leaving her with ongoing complications and minimal compensation despite a year of treatment delays.
On August 21, a 28-year-old woman named Biew filed a complaint with the Sai Hayp Tong Rord (Thai patient advocacy page) after a surgical error at a well-known Saraburi hospital. She had been admitted on September 19, 2568 with abdominal pain initially diagnosed as bladder inflammation, but later found to have gallstones requiring surgery. On September 22, she underwent what she believed would be a minor laparoscopic procedure, but woke to find herself in ICU with a large incision running from above to below her navel. The surgeon later revealed that the bile duct had been accidentally cut during the operation and required repair.
Following her discharge after nine nights, Biew required ongoing treatment at another hospital, including repeated procedures to insert and replace bile duct drainage tubes as infection and leakage persisted. The complications left her unable to bend, perform daily activities, or work normally. She received only 25,000 baht from the operating physician on December 18, 2568, along with a document waiving her right to sue. She has also filed a claim with the Saraburi Social Security Office since October 2568, but has received no resolution after nearly a year, only notifications that her case remains under consideration.
Ekaphop Luang Prasert, founder of the Sai Hayp Tong Rord advocacy page, stated that while medical errors are never intentional, appropriate and sufficient compensation should be provided to victims who suffer prolonged pain, lost employment, and diminished quality of life. He questioned why the 25,000 baht was inadequate and criticized the Saraburi Social Security Office for unreasonable delays. The advocacy group plans to escalate the matter to the Social Security Office and the Department of Health Service Support under the Ministry of Public Health to seek additional assistance.
