Maine mom awarded $17M after her bladder was mistakenly removed during routine surgery - New York Post

What the report says

A Maine jury has awarded Emily Mitchell, 43, of Skowhegan, $15.75 million after finding Northern Light Inland Hospital negligent over a 2023 operation in which her bladder was mistakenly removed during what was expected to be routine surgery, the New York Post reported, citing Bangor Daily News and court records. Her husband, Joshua Mitchell, received an additional $1.25 million, bringing the total verdict to $17 million.

According to the Post’s account, Mitchell underwent laparoscopic surgery in March 2023 to remove a cyst from her left ovary. Court records cited in the report said surgeon Dr. Danielle Gagnon removed nearly all of Mitchell’s healthy bladder instead. The mistake was discovered only after Mitchell returned to the hospital in severe pain, bloating and unable to urinate, and was transferred to Eastern Maine Medical Center.

Local outlets cited by the Post reported that Mitchell spent more than eight months using tubes to drain urine from her kidneys and experienced recurrent urinary tract and kidney infections, multiple procedures and continuing complications. Surgeons later created a new bladder using part of her small intestine because too little of the original organ remained to repair.

The Post reported that a unanimous nine-person jury reached the verdict on Thursday after a 10-day trial, awarding damages for pain and suffering, permanent injury and future medical costs. The report said the verdict was the largest medical malpractice award in Kennebec County history. Northern Light officials said they respected the decision and expressed sympathy for Mitchell and her family; Dr. Gagnon is no longer employed by Northern Light Health. The hospital where the operation occurred closed last year after financial losses.