Nashville Woman Files 0 Million Lawsuit Against Ascension

Nashville Woman Files $150 Million Lawsuit Against Ascension

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Linda Gilbert seeks $150 million in lawsuit against Ascension Saint Thomas

A Nashville woman is suing Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown, alleging a medication error during a knee replacement surgery left her with a permanent spinal cord injury, WSMV reported.

Linda Gilbert, who was 78 at the time of the incident, filed the health care liability lawsuit through her son in Davidson County Circuit Court on November 6. The complaint seeks $50 million in compensatory damages and $100 million in punitive damages.

Investigation into medication error at Nashville hospital underway

The legal action follows an August 14 medical error at the Midtown hospital that affected four different joint-replacement patients.

The August 14 medication error

According to the hospital, four patients mistakenly received potassium phosphate instead of the intended anesthetic, mepivacaine, during their procedures. All four individuals reportedly suffered adverse reactions following the error.

The lawsuit alleges that hospital staff failed to stop using syringes from the same batch even after two previous patients reported experiencing burning pain. Gilbert’s complaint also points to failures in the pharmacy’s medication preparation and verification processes, as well as delays in her subsequent treatment.

Gilbert alleges the injection of potassium phosphate into her spinal canal resulted in an incomplete spinal cord injury. She reportedly suffers from severe weakness and a loss of the ability to walk independently, requiring inpatient rehabilitation for injuries she claims are permanent.

Tennessee woman sues Nashville hospital for millions

Ascension Saint Thomas responds to lawsuit and regulators

Ascension Saint Thomas has acknowledged the lawsuit and stated it is cooperating with the legal process. In a statement, the health system said, “Our sympathy and concern remain with the affected patients and their families.”

The hospital previously noted that it self-reported the error to regulators and implemented changes to its pharmacy processes and safety protocols. Following these corrective measures, federal regulators removed the hospital’s “Immediate Jeopardy” status in September.

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Gilbert seeks damages and challenges Tennessee legal limits

Beyond the requested monetary compensation, Gilbert’s lawsuit challenges existing Tennessee limits on noneconomic damages. The filing also requests a jury trial to resolve the matter.

The discrepancy between the intended anesthetic and the substance administered highlights the high stakes of pharmacy verification protocols in surgical settings. While the hospital has worked to satisfy federal safety requirements, the litigation seeks to hold the institution accountable for the specific physical and economic toll on Gilbert.

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