Maine mom's bladder mistakenly removed during surgery, wins $17M

Key Points:

• Emily Mitchell, a 43-year-old Maine woman, was awarded $15.75 million after a surgeon at Northern Light Inland Hospital mistakenly removed her bladder instead of an ovarian cyst during routine surgery in March 2023.
• The error was only discovered after Mitchell returned to the hospital in severe pain and was found to have no bladder, leading to months of medical complications including urinary tract infections and the need for a reconstructed bladder.
• A nine-person jury unanimously found the hospital negligent, awarding Mitchell damages for pain, permanent injuries, and future medical care, while her husband received $1.25 million for loss of companionship, totaling $17 million—the largest medical malpractice verdict in Kennebec County history.
• The surgeon responsible, Dr. Danielle Gagnon, is no longer employed by Northern Light Health, and the hospital where the surgery occurred closed last year due to financial losses.
• Hospital officials expressed sympathy and stated that patient safety remains a priority, while Mitchell’s attorney emphasized the verdict provides closure and acknowledgment of the harm caused.