Maine mom awarded $17M after bladder mistakenly removed in routine surgery

A Maine mother, Emily Mitchell, was awarded $17 million after a surgeon allegedly removed most of her healthy bladder during a routine laparoscopic procedure to remove a cyst from her ovary. The hospital, Northern Light Inland Hospital, was found negligent, and Mitchell now requires lifelong medical care after a bladder rebuilt from a section of her small intestine. The verdict—$15.75 million to Mitchell and $1.25 million to her husband—was the largest medical malpractice award in Kennebec County history; the hospital later closed amid financial troubles, and Mitchell continues to contend with ongoing urinary issues.