A jury awarded our client damages due to the defendant's misdiagnosis of breast cancer.

The plaintiff, a 34-year-old mother of two boys, felt a lump in her breast and went to her family doctor, who referred her to an x-ray clinic for a mammogram and ultrasound of the lump.

The defendant radiologist interpreted the tests as showing a cyst when there should have been concern that the lump was cancer. Relying on this report, the plaintiff's family doctor reassured her that there was nothing to worry about. Seven months later, the plaintiff felt the lump getting larger and she went back to her family doctor, who ordered another series of tests. At this time, it was confirmed that the lump was, in fact, cancer. The plaintiff underwent a lumpectomy, lymph node dissection, chemotherapy, and radiation.

At trial, the radiologist admitted that he negligently interpreted the ultrasound. Our expert oncologist testified that the delay in diagnosis and treatment 1) enabled the plaintiff's cancer to grow and spread to her lymph nodes; 2) allowed her condition to progress from Stage I breast cancer to Stage II; and 3) doubled her chances of recurrence. The jury awarded damages for the plaintiff's decreased chances for survival and the emotional distress associated with her worsened prognosis.

If you have questions about a possible cancer misdiagnosis, contact us online or call us at (219) 769-6393 or 1-800-873-0889.