Berman & Simmons in the News, 1st Quarter 2023
Whether online, in print, or on TV, we’re proud our important work is routinely featured in the region’s top news forums and shared nationally. This recap of media coverage during the first quarter of 2023 spotlights the many ways in which we’re helping our clients find justice and recover fair compensation after experiencing a serious personal injury due to the negligence of others.
Notable Client Work
$6.5 million verdict in a misdiagnosis case
The Berman & Simmons legal team of Jodi Nofsinger and Susan Faunce won a significant $6.5 million jury award on behalf of the family of 25-year-old Peter Smith who died from a misdiagnosis of Lyme carditis in 2017. The Cumberland County jury found that negligence by Mercy Hospital and one of its physicians, Dr. John Henson, led to Smith’s wrongful death. The sizable award is the highest in Maine so far this year. Statewide coverage included:
- WGME-TV: Jury awards $6.5M to Maine family for wrongful death, negligent misdiagnosis
- Bangor Daily News: Jury awards 25-year-old’s parents $6.5 million for Lyme disease misdiagnosis
- Maine Public Radio: Mercy Hospital, physician ordered to pay $6.5 million in wrongful death suit
- Portland Press Herald: Mercy Hospital ordered to pay $6.5 million to family of man who died after misdiagnosis
Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center wrongful death cases
The firm also furthered its work with families grieving the wrongful deaths of their loved ones. Attorney Travis Brennan filed two wrongful death suits against Northern Light during this timeframe: One on behalf of the widow of world-renowned musician Russ Lombardi who died after being administered the wrong medication; Another on behalf of the mother of 33-year-old Jessie Snyder who never got a life-saving blood transfusion after surgery. Media from across Maine told the story of these nightmare scenarios:
- Bangor Daily News: Widow sues Bangor hospital claiming wrong medication killed her husband
- Maine Public Radio: Widow files wrongful death lawsuit against Bangor hospital
- Penobscot Times: Old Town woman claims Bangor hospital failed to give daughter life-saving transfusion
- WVII-TV: Mother claims Maine hospital’s negligence led to daughter’s death after surgery | WPFO (fox23maine.com)
Sexual abuse survivors step forward as adults in Maine
Also during this period the firm’s sexual abuse legal team brought more suits on behalf of people who were sexually abused as children by adults in their lives who were in positions of trust: Roman Catholic Clergy and camp counselors. These cases proceeded while the Maine Diocese challenged the constitutionality of the law that removed the statute of limitations to file civil suits. Media across the region editorialized in favor of the Maine law that lets survivors come forward when they’re ready.
- Boston Globe: A change in Maine law prompts a wave of new church abuse allegations – The Boston Globe
- Newscenter Maine: Six new lawsuits filed against Portland Catholic diocese for alleged abuse
- Portland Press Herald editorial: Commentary: For how much longer can the Portland diocese play dumb?
- Washington Post: Diocese challenges Maine law allowing older sex abuse claims
- Yahoo News: Man sues former Maine camp counselor for alleged sexual abuse in the ’70s