FARMINGTON – Franklin Memorial Hospital President Richard Batt expressed disappointment Thursday with a jury’s decision to award $400,000 to Rodney Sawtelle of Wilton and his wife, Frances, for injuries Rodney suffered while undergoing a medical procedure at the hospital.

“While respecting the jury process,” Batt said, “we do plan to review our options whether we will appeal the decision and whether there are substantial grounds to go further.”

A screening panel of three people, required by the state, met and determined that Franklin Memorial doctors and nurses did not cause injury to Sawtelle, Batt said.

But jurors in a civil trial voted 6-3 Wednesday in favor of Sawtelle after two-and-a-half hours of deliberation.

Batt said Sawtelle was a patient at FMH in January and February of 2002. During Sawtelle’s time as a patient, and upon his discharge, there was no report by him of any injury or problem with his care or the doctors and nurses, Batt said.

But four months after being discharged from the hospital, Sawtelle contacted Batt and set up a meeting with the hospital’s medical director. During that meeting Sawtelle complained of pain in his arm that he alleged came from his care at the hospital, Batt said.

“We do sympathize with Mr. Sawtelle, and we wish him the best,” Batt said.

The jury awarded compensation to Sawtelle for his inability to work, and found that his wife was entitled to part of the settlement for her suffering in terms of lost spousal income. Sawtelle was awarded $360,000 and his wife $40,000.

Scott Lynch, a Lewiston-based lawyer working for the Sawtelles on the malpractice case, said Wednesday that his client’s life was dramatically changed when he lost the use of his right hand. Rodney Sawtelle was right-handed and has had to learn to do everything left-handed, Lynch said. He was also unable to work in his profession as a heavy equipment operator, which requires the use of both hands, Lynch said.