An Essex County jury awarded $1.6 million in Estate of Gaza v. Popovich, M.D., a medical malpractice suit claiming errors following a gallbladder removal operation resulted in the patient’s death.

The jury award came on Dec. 20 following a 12-day trial before Superior Court Judge Robert Gardner. Gardner entered final judgment on Feb. 28, adding $361,513 in prejudgment interest, for a total of $1.93 million.