Woman Awarded $17 Million After Hospital Removes Healthy Bladder

Woman Awarded $17 Million After Hospital Removes Healthy Bladder Instead of Routine Ovarian Surgery

A Maine jury awarded Emily Mitchell $17 million after Dr. Danielle Gagnon removed her healthy bladder during what was meant to be routine ovarian cyst removal surgery.

A U.S. jury in Maine has awarded $17 million to Emily Mitchell after her surgeon removed nearly all of her healthy bladder during what was meant to be a routine operation to remove an ovarian cyst. The landmark verdict marks the largest medical malpractice award in Kennebec County's history and highlights serious risks of surgical error in routine procedures.

A nine-person jury in Kennebec County Superior Court found unanimously on July 23 that Northern Light Health and Inland Hospital were negligent in their care of Mitchell, then 40, during the March 1, 2023 surgery. The jury determined that negligence was the direct cause of her severe injuries. Mitchell was awarded $15.75 million for her injuries, pain, suffering and future medical costs, while her husband Joshua received $1.25 million.

Critical Surgical Error

Dr. Danielle Gagnon performed laparoscopic surgery to remove a cyst on Mitchell's left ovary. Imaging had shown the growth expanding significantly and it was benign. However, during the operation, Gagnon removed nearly all of Mitchell's healthy bladder instead of limiting the procedure to ovarian tissue removal. Pathology review of tissue removed during surgery revealed full-thickness fragments of bladder wall with no trace of ovarian tissue.

Immediate Complications and Extended Recovery

Mitchell was admitted after the initial surgery with intense pain, bloating and difficulty urinating. Two days later, as her symptoms worsened, she was transferred to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor for exploratory surgery. Surgeons discovered the extent of the damage: there was insufficient healthy bladder tissue remaining to rebuild the organ. Mitchell relied on tubes in place of a bladder for over eight months, suffering recurring urinary tract infections, kidney infections and multiple procedures.

Long-Term Health Impact and Settlement

In October 2023, surgeons in Boston reconstructed Mitchell's bladder using intestinal tissue. More than three years after the initial error, she continues to suffer recurring urinary tract infections and requires ongoing medical care. Mitchell and her husband alleged the hospital never obtained her consent to remove the bladder and that Dr. Gagnon had not discussed the possibility beforehand. The trial began July 13 and concluded with the jury's unanimous finding of negligence. Dr. Gagnon no longer works for Northern Light Health. Inland Hospital in Waterville closed in June 2025 after losing approximately $1.5 million monthly.

July 28, 2026