Jury Awards Family $7.7M After 'Preventable Death' Involving Doctor: Attorney

NEW HAVEN, CT – A jury Wednesday awarded $7,730,000 to the family of Dr. Jacqueline Satchell, a respected physician and longtime member of the New Haven medical community, in a medical malpractice case against Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale University.

Satchell died on Oct. 7, 2020. She was just 51.

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After being admitted to Yale New Haven Hospital with a perforated bowel, she underwent surgery, but in the days that followed, her condition deteriorated as critical warning signs of infection were overlooked and necessary interventions were delayed," her estate's lawyers said.

Patch reached out to Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale University for comment.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the patient’s family and loved ones for their loss,” said Amanda Raus, spokesman for Yale New Haven Health. “While we are disappointed with the verdict and continue to believe the care provided was appropriate and consistent with the clinical circumstances, we respect the legal process and will be evaluating all available appellate options.”

In other words, Yale plans to appeal the decision.

"Despite clear indications of worsening infection, organ dysfunction, and other life-threatening complications, doctors at Yale New Haven Hospital did not pursue appropriate specialist consultations, nor surgical re-intervention," lawyers shared in a news release. "By the time additional measures were taken, Satchell was too critically ill to recover."

Satchell dedicated her life to caring for others. Born in Jamaica, she immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager, went on to attend medical school, and spent more than two decades serving patients in New Haven, eventually becoming a leader in women’s health and an advocate for underserved communities.

"Dr. Satchell built a life in New Haven centered on caring for her patients, mentoring young physicians, and giving back to the community she loved. She should have had many more years to continue that work, but instead she lost her life to a series of preventable failures," said Kathleen Nastri of Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC, who served as lead counsel.

After her death, her family founded the Jacqueline R. Satchell Foundation, created to educate, empower, and celebrate young people in underserved communities.

“For almost six years, we have been seeking accountability; today, a jury agreed that were it not for the treatment Jackie received at Yale, she would still be with her daughters today,” said attorney Renee Mihail, also of Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder, P.C.