MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (WTNH) — A $20 million verdict was delivered Thursday in a medical negligence case against Anesthesiologists of Middletown and Middlesex Hospital, according to a press release.
The jury ruled that the anesthesiologists were responsible for the preventable death of 68-year-old Scott Stillwell Wilson, who died hours after a routine abdominal surgery in 2019.
The lawsuit alleged that the anesthesiology personnel failed to recognize and respond to multiple signs of bleeding as Wilson’s condition deteriorated during a lengthy surgery. During the surgery, Wilson allegedly experienced ongoing bleeding, resulting in hypotension, hemorrhagic shock, cardiac arrest and respiratory failure, according to the complaint.
“This verdict is not just about my dad — it’s about every patient who walks into a hospital and expects to come out safe,” Heather Rueda, the plaintiff and Wilson’s daughter, said. “My father was a healthy, active man who trusted the people caring for him. That trust was broken in the worst way imaginable. No family should ever have to go through this.”
Sarah Cody, public relations director for Middlesex Health, said this statement about the verdict:
“Middlesex Health was withdrawn from this lawsuit and therefore was not part of this trial, having reached a confidentiality agreement prior to trial.
This said, our hearts go out to the family.
We also want to take this opportunity to emphasize that our dedicated providers, nurses, and clinical teams work tirelessly — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year — to deliver the safest, highest quality care to our Community.
Despite the ever-increasing challenges of today’s healthcare landscape, Middlesex Health remains one of Connecticut’s highest-quality hospitals and continues to serve as a trusted and vital pillar of the community.
We are proud that among other accolades, we are a six-time Magnet®-designated hospital, a recipient of nine consecutive “A” grades from The Leapfrog Group for hospital safety, and a valued member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.“