Ky. woman sues dentist for dropping screwdriver down her throat

GlobalPost

A Kentucky woman is suing her dentist for allegedly dropping a small screwdriver down her throat during a routine visit.

The screwdriver ended up in 71-year-old Lena David's digestive tract and she eventually needed surgery to remove it, the Lexington Herald Leader reported.

David is seeking an undetermined amount of compensatory damages.

The Lexington Herald Leader said that according to the lawsuit, the dentist allegedly lost control of the screwdriver and the woman reflexively swallowed it.

The Associated Press wrote David claims Dr. W.B. Galbreath told her to try to throw up the screwdriver. When that didn't work he sent her for X-rays.

The lawsuit says once the dentist saw that the X-rays showed the screwdriver was in her stomach, he told her to go home and “eat a diet high in fiber.”

In June 2011, about a month later, she went to the hospital with abdominal pain and had it removed.

More from GlobalPost: Lady Gaga: Korea bars under-18s from 'Born This Way' concert

Will you support The World?

The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?