A jury awarded $750,000 in damages to Mary Shea who suffered permanent harm after a hip replacement surgery at Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital in Ellsworth, according to a March 2, WPFO FOX23 Maine report.
The jury found orthopedic surgeon Peter Copithorne, MD, and the hospital liable for negligent care that resulted in long-term impairment and $291,000 in medical bills. During follow-up care in 2019, Dr. Copithorne failed to read the correct X-ray, delaying revision surgery and leading to further complications, including a centimeter-long gap left in Shea’s femur.
Three physicians testified the delayed intervention caused muscle atrophy and avoidable damage. The jury deliberated for under four hours following a three-day trial. Civil verdicts in Maine do not require unanimous agreement.
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