An Aroostook County jury has awarded $1.2 million in damages to a patient who sued Cary Medical Center in Caribou for negligent care in 2015. According to the complaint, the patient was discharged from the emergency department without proper care for a hematoma. She was taking a blood thinning medication at the time, but was not advised to discontinue, and had to return to the hospital by ambulance the next day after the hematoma ruptured.
Her attorney, Travis Brennan, says she needed three surgeries to resolve the health issue. "Hopefully this will make it so that other Mainers who go to the emergency department are monitored and stabilized before they're sent home with potentially life threatening conditions."
Brennan says he's satisfied with the $1.2 million award. He says it provides justice for his client and sends a message.
"It will protect other patients - both at Cary Medical Center and at other hospitals across the state of Maine - and ensure that patients who are being sent home from the hospital are stable and not at serious risk for injury."
Cary Medical Center did not respond to a request for comment.
