$17 Million Verdict for Woman Whose Bladder Was Mistakenly Removed During Routine Surgery
A Maine jury has awarded Emily Mitchell $17 million after a catastrophic surgical error at Northern Light Inland Hospital resulted in the removal of her bladder during what was intended to be a routine procedure to address a benign ovarian cyst. The verdict, delivered by a Kennebec County jury following a two-week medical malpractice trial, is reportedly the largest medical malpractice award in the county’s history. According to Mitchell’s attorneys, the devastating error occurred on March 1, 2023, when surgeons removed “full-thickness bladder tissue” instead of the targeted cyst. The mistake was discovered only after Mitchell’s condition worsened, prompting an emergency transfer to another hospital where surgeons determined there was insufficient healthy bladder tissue left to reconstruct or repair the organ.
In the months that followed, Mitchell was forced to rely on bilateral nephrostomy tubes to drain urine directly from her kidneys, enduring recurring infections and multiple procedures. She later underwent complex reconstructive surgery to create a new bladder from a portion of her small intestine, but she continues to face permanent health consequences, including the need to insert a catheter multiple times daily. The jury awarded damages covering past and future medical expenses, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent impairment. “For our clients, this isn’t just a legal victory—it’s the closure they’ve needed for a long time,” attorney Susan A. Faunce said in a statement. “They can finally put this chapter behind them.” The hospital, which closed in May 2025 after serving the community for more than 80 years, was found liable alongside the broader Northern Light Health system.
