Failure to Diagnose Prostate Cancer Case Settles for $2.3 Million

The Porter Law Group recently secured a $2.3 million settlement in a medical malpractice case involving a failure to diagnose prostate cancer. Our client, a man in his 60s, had been under the care of the same primary care physician for over 25 years. During this time, the doctor failed to discuss or offer PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing, a crucial screening tool for prostate cancer.

Our client was eventually diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer, which had already spread to multiple bones in his body. This devastating diagnosis came only after he experienced severe neck pain, forcing him to seek emergency medical attention. Medical experts reviewed the medical records, and were prepared to testify at trial that if PSA testing had been performed in the years leading up to the diagnosis, it was highly likely that the cancer would have been caught at an earlier, more treatable stage.

The case highlighted several concerning aspects of the defendant doctor’s practice:

1. The doctor admitted to never discussing PSA testing with our client despite knowing about his family history of prostate cancer.
2. The doctor claimed he didn’t offer PSA tests because he believed patients in the area were not capable of making educated decisions about their own healthcare.
3. The doctor failed to follow multiple medical guidelines recommending shared decision-making regarding PSA testing, including those from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the American Cancer Society, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
4. Despite routinely screening our client for other health conditions, such as colon cancer and cardiac issues, the doctor inexplicably omitted prostate cancer screening.

Our legal team successfully argued that the doctor’s failure to inform our client about PSA testing options denied him the opportunity to make informed decisions about his health. We demonstrated that our client was a proactive and compliant patient who would have likely opted for PSA testing if given the choice. This was evidenced by his history of following medical advice, including quitting smoking many years before, receiving regular check-ups and vaccinations, and undergoing recommended procedures like colonoscopies.

The consequences of the defendant doctor’s medical negligence have been severe. Our client has endured grueling treatments, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy, all aimed at extending his life rather than curing his cancer. The physical toll has been immense, with significant weight loss and periods of hospitalization due to treatment complications.

Beyond the physical suffering, our client now lives with the knowledge that his life-threatening condition could have been prevented or detected much earlier. This emotional burden extends to his family, including his long-term girlfriend, adult children, and grandchildren.

The $2.3 million settlement will help cover our client’s ongoing medical expenses and provide for his family’s future. It also sends a strong message about the importance of proper patient education and shared decision-making in healthcare.

At the Porter Law Group, we are committed to holding healthcare providers accountable for their actions and ensuring that patients receive the standard of care they deserve. This case underscores the critical importance of:

• Thorough patient education about available screening options
• Following established medical guidelines and recommendations
• Considering a patient’s family history when making screening decisions
• Empowering patients to participate in their own healthcare decisions

While no amount of money can undo the harm caused by this medical negligence, we know this settlement will bring some measure of justice and closure to our client and his loved ones. It also serves as a reminder to healthcare providers about the potentially life-altering consequences of failing to discuss important screening options with their patients.

If you or a loved one have experienced similar medical negligence, don’t hesitate to contact the Porter Law Group for a consultation. Our experienced team is dedicated to advocating for patients’ rights and seeking justice in medical malpractice cases.