CLEVELAND -- A trial continued Tuesday in a lawsuit filed against the Cleveland Clinic in the death of a woman who had a towel left in her after surgery.

Bonne Valle's daughter, Jeanne Clark, took the stand, telling the court that she believes the clinic should be held accountable for negligence in the death of Valle, who died in 2002 at the age of 60.

Valle, who suffered from emphysema, had surgery several years ago to help her breathing, but the surgeon left a 22-inch towel inside her after the surgery.

The woman died seven years later, and one year after her death, Clark found out about the towel.

Clark on Tuesday was cross-examined by the clinic's lawyers, who are arguing that Valle was terminally ill before the surgery, and that despite the towel, her condition improved after the surgery and she lived several more years.

They said that the towel did not have an effect on the woman's quality of life or time of death.

Also taking the stand Tuesday is a forensic pathologist called by Clark's attorneys as a witness.

Closing arguments in the trial are expected before the end of the week.