New Jersey Personal Injury Blog
New Jersey Failure to Diagnose Prostate Cancer Wrongful Death Case
BG Partner Michael Zerres was recently on trial in Union County, New Jersey in a case involving the death of a 76 year old man from prostate cancer. The man’s family alleged that his primary care physician failed to follow up on an abnormal PSA test result, by promptly referring him to an urologist.
Two years later, when the man began experiencing urinary tract symptoms, he was referred to an urologist by an urgent care facility physician. The urologist performed a digital rectal examination (DRE), PSA and biopsy which revealed the presence of a high-grade, advanced prostate cancer. Despite aggressive treatment, the man succumbed to his disease 15 months later.
The trial lasted 3 weeks, from June 28, 2010 until July 19, 2010, as the defendant physician had refused to sign a consent form which would have allowed his insurance company to settle the case. The defendant physician testified that he did, in fact, instruct the patient to see an urologist following the abnormal PSA, and, that the patient failed to follow his advice. However, this advice was not documented anywhere in the physician’s chart.
Finally, after plaintiff’s case had been put in its entirety, and with only two defense witnesses remaining, the defendant consented to settling the case following a full day of examination. The matter was then resolved for a confidential amount. The Honorable Lisa F. Chrystal presided over the trial.
New Drug Could Be Used to Treat Prostate Cancer in 2010
Prostate cancer is the most commonly occurring non-skin cancer in the United States today. That is significant considering this type of cancer only affects males. However, prostate cancer has an extremely high survival rate because of new breakthroughs in not only treatment, but also due to early detection. The Associated Press has reported that the pharmaceutical company Dendreon has submitted a Food and Drug Administration application seeking approval of the drug Provenge, which apparently has shown promise with regard to the treatment of prostate cancer. Dendreon has said that it hopes to launch this new drug in 2010 once the FDA has approved it.
Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate and other cancers, unfortunately there are still a number of physicians who do not always screen patients for prostate cancer with PSA test or a DRE (digital rectal examination) ,or, who fail to appreciate the significance of symptoms or warning signs associated with this cancer. There is no denying that early diagnosis and prompt treatment is the key to increasing ones chances of surviving any type of cancer. In many cases where cancer is misdiagnosed or not timely diagnosed, there can be a delay in treatment, and, a poorer prognosis for cure as result.
If you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed, or, had a delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer, the NJ failure to diagnose prostate cancer attorneys at Blume Goldfaden can help. You may have the basis to bring a possible New Jersey medical malpractice claim if your doctor failed to timely screen you for prostate cancer, or, did not use proper and timely screening methods and treatment. Call us today at 973-635-5400 to set up a no-cost consultation.
Source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010186483_webdendreon.html