$17 Million Verdict Returned in Massachusetts Wrongful Death Suit Over Hernia Surgery

Case Overview

A Massachusetts jury has awarded $17 million to the family of a 57-year-old woman who died five days after undergoing elective hernia surgery.

Cause

The wrongful death lawsuit, filed against a surgeon from Brigham Surgical Associates, alleged that medical negligence led to a bowel perforation that went undiagnosed until it was too late. Although the surgeon maintained that the procedure was uneventful, expert testimony presented at trial indicated that the perforation most likely occurred during the initial surgery—not shortly before the patient’s readmission to the hospital, as the defense argued.

Damages

Central to the case were the surgeon’s failure to address the patient’s post-operative complaints and the delegation of medical guidance to an unqualified assistant. Despite reporting severe pain and an inability to eat, the patient was reassured by a medical assistant instead of being evaluated by the surgeon. By the time she sought emergency care, she was in septic shock.

Jury Verdict

The jury awarded $17,084,931, including interest. The jury’s verdict underscores both the seriousness of the negligence and the profound impact on the patient’s family.