A woman has received a substantial £12 million compensation following a grave mistake where surgeons mistakenly removed her bladder, described as one of the most catastrophic surgical errors. Emily Mitchell, 41, was granted $17 million (£12.79 million) by Kennebec County Superior Court after her bladder was erroneously taken out during a procedure at Northern Light Inland Hospital in Waterville, Maine. The incident occurred when she was initially undergoing surgery to remove an ovarian cyst, leading to severe complications that required corrective surgeries.
Lawyers representing Ms. Mitchell stated that the surgery was scheduled based on imaging showing an enlarged benign ovarian cyst. However, during the operation, instead of removing the cyst, surgeons mistakenly excised a portion of her bladder tissue, rendering it irreparable. Subsequently, Ms. Mitchell had to endure months of treatment with bilateral nephrostomy tubes draining urine from her kidneys, resulting in various infections and further medical interventions.
After undergoing a series of procedures, including the implantation of a neo bladder made from a section of her small intestine, Ms. Mitchell continues to grapple with the lasting effects of the botched surgery. Her legal team highlighted the ongoing challenges she faces, such as the need for frequent catheterization to drain the neobladder and continuous medical care from specialists.
Following a two-week medical malpractice trial, Ms. Mitchell prevailed in her lawsuit against Northern Light Inland Hospital and Northern Light Health, securing a record-breaking settlement in Kennebec County history. The compensation, totaling nearly $17 million, included funds for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, permanent injury, and compensation for her husband for the loss of care and companionship.
In response to the payout, Attorney Susan A Faunce expressed that it marked a significant victory for Ms. Mitchell, offering the closure she has long sought. The settlement not only acknowledges the pain endured by the couple but also provides a sense of accountability for the harm caused. Ms. Faunce emphasized that while the verdict cannot erase their suffering, it represents a step towards closure and moving forward from the traumatic experience.