Sullivan Papain Secures $2.9 Million Settlement in Delayed Anal Cancer Diagnosis Case
Sullivan Papain is proud to announce that firm members Eleni Coffinas and Elizabeth Montesano secured a $2,925,000 settlement on behalf of their client in a medical malpractice action involving the failure to timely diagnose anal cancer.
The case arose from a January 23, 2023 visit to a gastroenterologist, when the 53-year-old patient presented with new symptoms, including abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and blood in her stool. She specifically requested a colonoscopy. Despite these concerning complaints, the physician did not perform a rectal examination or order diagnostic testing. Instead, he attributed her symptoms to hemorrhoids that had been noted during a 2019 colonoscopy.
According to the 2019 colonoscopy report, the hemorrhoids seen were typical, non-inflamed hemorrhoids, and there was no basis to conclude they were responsible for her new symptoms without further evaluation.
Approximately nine months later, in October 2023, the patient was evaluated by another physician within the same medical group. Appropriate testing was performed, leading to a diagnosis of Stage II anal cancer.
The patient underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment. When those treatments failed to fully eradicate the cancer, she required surgery to remove the remaining tumor, leaving her with a permanent colostomy that has had a significant impact on her quality of life.
The cancer later metastasized and progressed to Stage IV disease. She now requires ongoing treatment and has been given a limited life expectancy. Although treatment has reduced the size of the tumors, her prognosis remains serious.
The lawsuit alleged that had the patient’s symptoms been properly evaluated during the January 2023 visit, her cancer would have been diagnosed at an earlier stage, when it was more likely to have been successfully treated and cured.
With trial scheduled to begin in several weeks, the parties reached a $2,925,000 settlement.
Learn More About Firm Member Eleni Coffinas
Eleni Coffinas, a member of the firm, is a vigorous advocate for people injured due to medical malpractice. Her legal skills and experience have helped her clients achieve many multimillion-dollar settlements. Ms. Coffinas handles all types of medical malpractice cases, including birth injuries, cancer diagnosis delay, and surgical and cardiac cases.
To learn more about Firm Member Eleni Coffinas, click here.
Learn More About Firm Member Elizabeth Montesano
Elizabeth Montesano, a firm member, is a vigorous advocate for people injured due to medical malpractice. Ms. Montesano handles all types of medical malpractice cases, including birth injuries, delays in cancer diagnosis, and surgical and cardiac cases.
To learn more about firm Member Elizabeth Montesano, click here.