When Amy Bright gave birth to her youngest son, Jacob, at the Naval Hospital Jacksonville in Florida in 2003, she was overjoyed. Bright, however, began having significant back pain just two months after her C-section delivery, marking the start of a 14-year journey, she claims.
Bright, now 41, claims she’s endured nerve damage as well as back discomfort over the years, making it increasingly impossible for her to use her left leg and foot. Bright was diagnosed with sciatica at first, but a CT scan in November 2017 showed the underlying reason of her pain: a piece of a needle had been buried in her spine since the day she gave birth more than a decade earlier.
Bright, of De Soto, Illinois, tells PEOPLE, “I was very indignant, upset, and afraid.” “That needle moves inside my spine every time I move, walk, bend, twist, or sleep.” I’ve been growing scar tissue in my spine for 14 years as a result of this needle moving. “I’m enraged.”
As medical workers at the Jacksonville hospital gave spinal anesthetic during Bright’s C-section, a big portion of a spinal needle broke off and became “stuck” in her lower back, according to Bright and her attorney, Sean Cronin. She and Cronin accuse the hospital staff of fraud and misconduct, alleging that they were aware that a fragment of the needle remained in Bright’s body and did nothing about it.
Three centimeters of the huge needle are wedged in Bright’s spine, according to Cronin, with two of those centimeters “deep into the bone.”
Cronin claims, “This is something that was not disclosed.” “These needles are around 9 or 10 centimeters long, with a tip on the end that the provider is intended to verify to ensure that they have the entire needle.” According to our specialists, they knew it was in here because so much of the needle was removed. And the safety advice hasn’t left her.”
Bright and Cronin have filed a complaint against the hospital, with the possibility of filing a formal lawsuit in the near future.
Naval Hospital Jacksonville officials forwarded PEOPLE’s request for comment to the US Department of Justice, which has declined to comment.
‘I’m terrified about the future.’
Bright, whose husband, Charles, was serving in the Navy at the time of her birth, says her back discomfort has become a constant companion through the years. She has seen doctors who have prescribed pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and other drugs to assist her cope with the pain.
“It’s gotten to the point where it’s simply burning all the time now.” I’m terrified of what the future holds for me. “[My leg] is weakening,” Bright explains. “I’ll most likely be in a wheelchair.” It’s terrifying because I have no idea.”
According to Cronin and Bright, doctors and experts warned Bright that withdrawing the needle could leave him incapacitated. Cronin claims, however, that her prognosis would have been different if the needle had been withdrawn sooner.
Cronin claims that “there was a great window of opportunity for them to remove the needle.” “They stole that chance away from her by not reporting what had transpired.”
The mother of six now says she doesn’t discuss the incident with her children because her husband Charles is “so unhappy” over it. She claims she wishes to protect Jacob, who is now 14, from the consequences of the scenario.
Bright says she has no idea what will happen to her in the future.
“I’m not sure what the future holds for me.” “I’m terrified and paranoid,” she admits. “My legs’ reflexes are already damaged.” I’m attempting to make plans for [physical] therapy, which I’ll most likely have to do for the rest of my life. I’m going to have to take medication for the rest of my life. I’m attempting to plan for my future and the assistance and support I’ll require.”