This case comes from Oregon but could be from anywhere. The patient, a 54 year old woman, underwent a routine mammogram at a health clinic. The radiologist who interpreted the study reported it as normal. However, two years later the patient was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer which had metastasized to her bones and seven lymph nodes. She submitted to radiation, a lumpectomy, and chemotherapy but her condition is terminal.
The patient filed a medical negligence claim against the radiologist. The evidence revealed the radiologist missed a one to two centimeter mass on the original mammogram. The patient, and her experts, alleged the radiologist was negligent in missing the mass and failing to refer the patient for treatment which would have saved her life. An Oregon jury awarded the patient $5, 750,000.