A woman from Tocantins, Brazil, has been awarded R$ 45,000 in compensation by the government for enduring 60 days in the Hospital Regional de Araguaína with an exposed bone due to a fracture in her left leg. The incident began when she suffered a motorbike accident in January 2022, after which she was admitted to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery. However, her recovery was marred by persistent issues, as the orthopedics department repeatedly requested consultations with the plastic surgery department to address the exposed area of her injury.

The legal case was initiated in April 2025, highlighting the significant lapse in care that the woman experienced during her hospital stay. The court determined that her prolonged suffering was a result of inadequate medical treatment, ultimately leading to permanent deformity from the injury. The decision was made by the 1st Civil Court of Wanderlândia, underscoring the judicial system's commitment to holding medical care providers accountable for negligence.

In response to the ruling, the Secretary of Health for Tocantins stated that the department had not yet been officially notified of the decision, indicating potential further actions or appeals by the state. This case raises broader concerns about the quality of healthcare services in public hospitals in Brazil, particularly in the context of emergency trauma care and the need for timely and effective surgical interventions to ensure proper healing of serious injuries.