Woman Gets $7M Jury Award for Delayed Cancer Diagnosis

Woman Gets $7M Jury Award for Delayed Cancer Diagnosis

Introduction

In a legal case in Fleming County, a woman who has been battling stage four breast cancer for over eight years was granted a verdict of more than $7 million in damages. The lawsuit claimed that a crucial diagnosis was missed, resulting in a significant delay in her treatment. In 2015, the woman received a letter from Fleming County Hospital stating that her mammogram results indicated she was cancer-free. However, ten months later, she discovered that the letter was incorrect; the test had actually shown that she needed to undergo a biopsy, as stated in her 2016 lawsuit. The lawsuit contended that during the time it took for the error to be recognized, her cancer had metastasized, spreading to other parts of her body and her bones. She noted in 2021 that her family had a history of this disease. During the trial, lawyers representing the radiologist and family practitioner named in the lawsuit argued that their clients were not responsible and questioned why the woman had not sought treatment for persistent symptoms. One of the attorneys referenced a deposition of the woman during his questioning, asking, "'Did you seek medical attention for the ongoing redness, tenderness, and hardness in your right breast?' and your response was, 'No, I did not.'" In response, the woman stated that she would have sought a biopsy if she had known it was necessary. Ultimately, the jury awarded the woman $7,568,452. The woman's legal team stated that her health has continued to deteriorate, emphasizing that, for her, this case revolves around principles of right and wrong.