$640,000 Jury Verdict for Late Diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Linda Lawson, 55, underwent a CT scan of her thoracic spine after she was experiencing leg and lower back pain. The scan was reported as being benign. Lawson’s symptoms continued and she had a lumbar CT scan 2 months later. The results of the CT were again reported by a second radiologist as being benign.

After her condition worsened, Lawson underwent an MRI, which showed a pelvic mass. She subsequently was diagnosed as having Stage IV non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which had spread to several lymph nodes and bones. She underwent aggressive inpatient treatment and is now in remission.

Lawson was a teacher earning about $40,000 annually and was unable to work for one year. She filed a lawsuit against Southwest Radiology, whose radiologist interpreted the first scan and the radiologist who read the second scan claiming that the radiologist chose not to timely diagnose her condition. Had she received an earlier diagnosis, Lawson argued she would have undergone less aggressive treatment on an outpatient basis.

Lawson settled with the second radiologist for a confidential amount. The jury awarded $640,000 against the first radiologist and the radiology practice.

The attorney representing Linda Lawson was Roger A. Johnson and Erin Voorhees.

Lawson v. Southwest Radiology, No. 11AO-CC00346 (Mo., Jasper Co. Cir. Sept. 13, 2013).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling medical malpractice cases, misdiagnosis of cancer cases and hospital negligence cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 38 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Glen Ellyn, Roselle, North Aurora, Plainfield, Tinley Park, Chicago Heights, Buffalo Grove, Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, Arlington Heights, Gurnee, Grayslake, Crystal Lake, Highland Park, Niles, Westridge, Westmont and Lombard, Ill.

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