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A jury ruled in favor of a woman whose arm was crushed between an exam table and a wall during an endoscopic procedure.
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The woman has been diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome as a result of the incident.
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The medical center admitted fault for the injury but has denied the extent of the damage
A jury awarded $2.4 million to a woman from Frenchville, ME, in a case against Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. The five-day trial centered on an endoscopic procedure that the plaintiff, 67-year-old Lousie Brown, underwent in February 2019. According to the lawsuit, Brown’s arm was crushed by the exam table while she was under anesthesia, resulting in significant injury.[1][2]
Brown was reportedly repositioned to make her more comfortable during the endoscopy procedure. The repositioning caused her arm to become pinned between the table and the base. During the trial, the nurse anesthetist who administered anesthesia during the procedure stated that Brown’s arm placement was not visible because of the structure of the room. After the procedure, Brown’s arm had bruising and cuts. In the years since the incident, her injured arm has reportedly started to atrophy.[3]
Brown filed a civil suit against Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center and Stacy Bruckler, CRNA, the nurse anesthetist for her procedure. Bruckler was a traveling provider in 2019 and was not employed by Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. The medical center has not denied fault for Brown’s injury but has rejected the $10 million damages sum initially asked for. The center has also denied liability for Bruckler’s actions, as Bruckler was not their employee. Brown’s legal team, as well as legal representatives for both Bruckler and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, failed to settle.[2][3]
The five-day trial began on March 25, 2024. The jury saw pictures of Brown’s injury and heard testimony about the day of her endoscopic procedure. Multiple witnesses testified, including Brown’s current doctors, who told the jury about her diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome and her difficulties using the affected arm. [3]
The defense team for Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center argued that the extent of Brown’s ongoing pain and suffering was “disproportionate to the event that caused the injury.” A private investigator acting for the defense provided evidence of Brown using her affected arm to open a car door. Lawyers for the medical center asked the jury to award Brown $126,184 in damages.[3]
After closing arguments on March 29, 2024, the jury awarded Brown $2.4 million in damages and ruled that Bruckler was not liable for Brown’s injuries.[3]