Carol Ann Canzanella v. Yale New Haven Hospital Inc.

Case Background

Plaintiff Carol Ann Canzanella filed the slip and fall lawsuit on July 9, 2020, in the Connecticut Superior Court, Judicial District of New Haven (Case number: NNH-CV20-6106570-S). Judge Robin Wilson presided over the case. The court classified this as a T03 case type, indicating a tort claim involving defective premises on private property.

Cause

Carol Ann Canzanella, a 55-year-old woman with a medical history of anxiety, asthma, diverticulitis, and hypertension, presented to Yale New Haven Hospital's Emergency Department on August 12, 2018, at 9:36 AM. She complained of left scleral redness, tearing, and a burning sensation that had persisted for three days. Canzanella reported photophobia and tearing when exposed to light. Nurse Stephanie Scholz documented that ophthalmology staff examined Canzanella at 11:45 AM and 12:14 PM. Dr. Michael Park, the attending ophthalmologist, dilated both of Canzanella's eyes at 12:21 PM. The emergency room staff kept her under bright fluorescent lighting for an extended period, which further irritated her eyes and impaired her vision. At 1:13 PM, Nurse Scholz noted that Canzanella was to be transferred to the Dana Eye Clinic with ophthalmology staff. Despite Canzanella's impaired vision, no transport services were called to assist her. She walked unassisted through the hospital complex to the Dana Clinic, which was located in a different building and a considerable distance from the Emergency Department. During this transfer, when Canzanella needed to use the restroom, she requested Dr. Park's help to locate the doorway due to her compromised vision. As Canzanella entered the bathroom, she stepped from the carpeted hallway onto the bathr