At Cronauer Law, we recently secured a $2.3 million settlement in a medical malpractice case, emphasizing the grave consequences of ignoring clear medical warning signs. This case serves as a reminder of the critical duty medical providers have to meticulously review patient histories and promptly address abnormal test results.
Our client—a middle-aged man—endured years of slightly elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels without the necessary follow-up care. PSA is a widely recognized indicator for assessing prostate cancer risk, and even modest elevations should trigger careful monitoring. Unfortunately, his medical provider failed to order routine bloodwork during a critical year, resulting in a delayed prostate cancer diagnosis that required aggressive, life-altering treatments. This devastating oversight highlights the importance of accountability in medical care, and our successful legal action brought justice and financial relief to our client.
The Case: A Missed Opportunity to Prevent Harm
Our client, a middle-aged man, had undergone regular physicals for many years, during which his bloodwork consistently showed slightly elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. PSA is a widely recognized marker for assessing prostate cancer risk, and elevated levels should prompt vigilant monitoring and, if necessary, further diagnostic testing.
Despite the client’s history of elevated PSA levels, his medical provider failed to order routine bloodwork during a critical year. When the PSA was finally tested the following year, it had spiked to dangerous levels. A subsequent biopsy revealed prostate cancer.
The delayed diagnosis forced our client to endure invasive treatments. These included a radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. These aggressive treatments brought significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens—harm that could have been mitigated or avoided with earlier intervention.
The Legal Challenge: Proving Negligence and Harm
Medical malpractice cases like this hinge on two critical factors:
- Liability: Demonstrating that the medical provider failed to meet the standard of care by not acting on clear and documented signs of elevated cancer risk.
- Causation: Establishing that this failure directly led to the need for more aggressive treatment and worsened the patient’s prognosis.
Our team built a compelling case by thoroughly reviewing the client’s medical records and working with a leading urology expert. The expert testified that any reasonably competent medical provider reviewing the test results would have recognized the clear warning signs of prostate cancer and ordered further testing. The omission to act was a serious breach of the standard of care.
The Outcome: Accountability and Compensation
Following extensive investigation and expert-supported negotiations, we secured a $2.3 million settlement for our client. This compensation provides financial relief for medical expenses, lost income, and the long-term physical and emotional toll of the delayed diagnosis and subsequent treatments.
“If only they had caught this sooner, my life would look so different today.“
While no amount of money can undo the harm caused, this outcome provides the resources our client needs for ongoing care and recovery. More importantly, it underscores the critical importance of medical providers’ duty to thoroughly review patient histories and act on potential red flags.
A Broader Lesson for Patients and Providers
For Patients: It’s beneficial to be informed about your medical history and engage in discussions about your health. If there are known risk markers, such as elevated PSA levels, it can be helpful to inquire about the importance of follow-ups and testing.
For Providers: Continuity of care is essential, as is vigilance. Every medical provider has the duty to thoroughly review patient records and respond appropriately to any abnormal findings, regardless of transitions or the involvement of previous providers.
At Cronauer Law, We Fight for Justice
At Cronauer Law, we are committed to holding medical professionals accountable when negligence leads to harm. This $2.3 million settlement reflects our dedication to ensuring justice for our clients and sending a clear message about the importance of adhering to the standard of care.
“If you or a loved one has suffered due to medical negligence, take the first step toward justice. Contact Cronauer Law for a free consultation today. Your fight is our mission.”