Family of Man Killed by Snowblower Sues Two Maine Hospitals

October 29, 2021

The son of a man who died in a snowblower accident in 2017 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against both of Bangor’s hospitals and two medical professionals.

Herbert Pelletier, 86, died four years ago of complications of a ruptured spleen caused by the handle of his snowblower. The lawsuit alleged that Pelletier was not properly diagnosed and that delayed treatment led to his death, The Bangor Daily News reported.

His son, Gary Pelletier, 69, filed the lawsuit Oct. 15 and named St. Joseph Hospital and the parent company of Northern Light Health, EMMC, as the defendants.

Pelletier was injured Dec. 13, 2017, went to the emergency room at St. Joseph Hospital, and was told that his spleen was enlarged but not bleeding. His doctor recommended his release shortly afterward.

Two weeks later, Pelletier had trouble breathing and was again taken to St. Joseph. A scan showed that his spleen had burst and he was hemorrhaging, the complaint said.

He was transferred to EMMC, where his conditions worsened. He died Dec. 28, 2017, the complaint said.

The defendants’ attorneys denied responsibility for Pelletier’s death, the newspaper said.

A spokesperson for EMMC said Tuesday that they “provide high-quality care and stand behind our physicians who provide that care.”

A spokesperson for St. Joseph did not respond to a request for comment.

Topics Lawsuits Maine

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Latest Comments

  • October 31, 2021 at 1:27 pm
    knowall says:
    Captain Kirk went to space at 90
  • October 29, 2021 at 6:44 pm
    Hector Projector says:
    The headline got me to click, snow blower kills. Actually, a man was killed using a snow blower. Maybe one day.
  • October 29, 2021 at 3:49 pm
    reality bites says:
    What son allows his 86 YO father to go out snow blowing anyhow. Oh, wait; the son was 69...where was HIS son? Although his son was 46...where was HIS son? What great-grandson ... read more

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