A medical malpractice trial in Salem, Mass., was abruptly halted when a juror collapsed and the doctor being sued rushed to administer first aid.

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Dr. Thomas Raskauskas' lawyer, Charles Reidy, was in the midst of his opening statement when the juror rose and walked unsteadily out of the jury box, the Boston Herald said Friday.

"He literally fell," said plaintiff's lawyer Robert Higgins. "The defendant, rightfully so, started giving orders and was treating him right in front of the other jurors."

Higgins said Raskauskas ordered water for the juror while he checked his blood pressure and raised his feet. Higgins said the ill juror remained conscious until emergency medical technicians arrived.

Higgins said Judge David Lowy had no choice but to call a mistrial in the lawsuit filed on behalf of Briana Maribito, now 8, who suffered severe brain injury during childbirth at North Shore Medical Center in Salem.