A Connecticut jury has awarded $15.1 million to an 85-year-old Groton woman who claims she was left blind after brain surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital, marking the third major verdict or judgment involving the hospital in less than 10 months.
Attorneys for Lioudmila Pyleva announced the verdict Tuesday, in a news release. Pylev alleged that an antiseptic solution dripped into her eye during brain surgery at the hospital, ultimately causing her to lose her sight.
On April 2, 2019, Pyleva, then 78, underwent surgery at Yale-New Haven Hospital to treat a noncancerous brain tumor. The case alleged, and the jury found, that neurosurgeon Dr. Jennifer Moliterno negligently handled toxic antiseptic chemicals, causing Pyleva’s loss of vision in her right eye, according to the family’s attorney, Matt Blumenthal of the Bridgeport-based law firm Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC.
The chemicals in question, he said, were Hibiclens and Chloraprep, two chlorhexidine-based solutions used to sterilize incision sites. The medical community has known since the 1980s that these solutions are toxic to the eyes, can cause irreversible damage, and therefore must be used with meticulous care to prevent them from entering the eye, Blumenthal said.
When Pyleva awoke from surgery, she immediately reported a burning sensation in her right eye, and an examination later that day found that nearly 90% of the corneal surface had been destroyed. This ultimately led to loss of vision in her right eye. Because she had lacked useful sight in her left eye since childhood, she was rendered completely functionally blind.
In an statement emailed Wednesday, a spokesperson for Yale New Haven Health said the health system is disappointed with the verdict, but respects the judicial process.
“Our thoughts remain with the patient and family, and we recognize the profound impact this matter has had on them,” the statement said.
The verdict follows two other multimillion-dollar awards involving Yale New Haven Hospital since late last year. Combined, the three awards total approximately $54.8 million.
In June, a Connecticut jury awarded $7.73 million to the family of Dr. Jacqueline Satchell, a New Haven physician who died in October 2020 after undergoing surgery for a perforated bowel at Yale New Haven Hospital’s St. Raphael Campus, according to a news release at the time from Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder.
Satchell’s estate sued the hospital and Yale University, alleging that doctors failed to pursue appropriate consultations and interventions as her condition deteriorated after surgery. Following the verdict, Yale New Haven said it believed the care provided was appropriate and was evaluating its appellate options.
In December 2025, Superior Court Judge Karen Goodrow awarded nearly $32 million to the parents of Aries-Reign Peterson, a premature infant who died in 2018 after receiving bovine-based nutritional products at Yale New Haven Hospital, according to Law360.com.
Goodrow found the hospital liable for failing to obtain consent and informed consent and also found Yale University liable on two additional consent claims. The $31.96 million judgment included nearly $2 million in economic damages and $30 million in noneconomic damages, according to Law360.com.
Yale New Haven Health did not immediately comment on the combined awards.
