Medical Malpractice Case Results in $17 Million Award
A woman from Maine has been awarded $17 million in a court ruling following a surgical error that led to her bladder being removed during what was supposed to be a routine procedure for a benign ovarian cyst.
This significant verdict was delivered by a jury in Kennebec County last Thursday, coming after a two-week medical malpractice trial against Northern Light Inland Hospital and Northern Light Health. Lawyers have indicated that this may be the largest malpractice award ever recorded in the county.
The incident occurred on March 1, 2023, and according to Mitchell’s legal team, it resulted in severe, lasting health complications that continue to impact her life today.
“What started as a routine gynecological operation turned into one of the most catastrophic surgical errors anyone could imagine,” stated the law firm Berman & Simmons.
Northern Light Inland Hospital, located in Waterville, plans to close its doors in May 2025 after over 80 years of service, a decision attributed to “tremendous pressures” including rising costs, low reimbursement rates, and challenges filling positions.
Emily Mitchell scheduled her surgery after imaging revealed her ovarian cyst had grown significantly. However, post-surgery, her condition deteriorated, necessitating a transfer to another facility for emergency intervention.
When Mitchell arrived at the second hospital, it was discovered that her bladder had been mistakenly removed in the first operation. Pathology revealed that the excised tissue was indeed bladder tissue. Unfortunately, the assessment indicated that the damage was irreversible; surgeons found insufficient healthy tissue for reconstruction, as per Berman & Simmons.
For eight months following the surgery, Mitchell relied on nephrostomy tubes to manage urine drainage, a process that involves placing tubes directly into the kidneys through the lower back. During that time, she faced repeated urinary tract infections, kidney infections, and a series of medical procedures due to ongoing complications.
Eventually, she was transferred to Massachusetts for complex reconstructive surgery where part of her small intestine was used to create a neobladder. Nearly three years after the initial operation, Mitchell still grapples with the permanent impacts of her injuries. She requires catheterization several times a day and ongoing specialist care related to her bladder loss.
After deliberating the case, the jury determined that the hospital and health system were liable, awarding damages to cover past and future medical costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability.
“This verdict isn’t just a win legally; it provides closure that our clients have desperately needed,” attorney Susan A. Faunce remarked. “They can finally begin to heal, knowing their suffering has been acknowledged. While this decision won’t erase the pain they’ve experienced, it offers a chance to move forward.”
