On opening the abdomen there is about 400mls of blood and a Grade 2 laceration to the spleen which has already stopped bleeding. No other injury is found and the abdomen is closed and the boy sent back down to the emergency department for the rest of his investigations.

Some months later you find out you are being sued by the parents for an unnecessary laparotomy. The judge upholds the parents case, you quit your job, become a psychological wreck and end up washing car windows at traffic lights.