Jury Awards $17 Million After Routine Surgery Leads to Organ Removal

The incident occurred on March 1, 2023, during a laparoscopic operation intended to address a growing cyst. Instead of removing the target tissue, surgeons mistakenly excised the patient's bladder. The error was only discovered after Mitchell’s condition deteriorated, necessitating an emergency transfer to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, where pathology confirmed the extent of the damage. Doctors found the remaining tissue insufficient for reconstruction, forcing Mitchell to live for eight months with nephrostomy tubes and chronic infections before undergoing complex reconstructive surgery in Massachusetts.

Today, Mitchell relies on a neobladder constructed from her small intestine and requires daily self-catheterization. Attorneys Susan A. Faunce and Travis M. Brennan, who represented Mitchell, described the verdict as a necessary measure of justice for the permanent, life-altering injuries their client continues to endure. The $17 million award covers past and future medical expenses, emotional distress, and the permanent loss of bodily function, marking the largest medical malpractice verdict ever recorded in Kennebec County.