Delay in Diagnosis of Bile Duct Cancer: $2 Million Settlement

2025 Medical Malpractice Settlement Report
By Willliam J. Thompson, Attorney for the Plaintiff
Suffolk Superior Court, Massachusetts

Radiology misread results in delayed diagnosis of bile duct cancer

In August, 2019, the plaintiff’s decedent, age 56, was diagnosed with Stage III(b) cholangiocarcinoma. She died in November, 2021.

On 6/1/18, she underwent a CT scan of the chest without contrast to evaluate her longstanding history of dyspnea and cough. The CT scan was interpreted and reported on by the defendant radiologist as showing millimetric pulmonary nodules unchanged since a prior 2015 CT scan of the chest.

On 7/14/19, she underwent a CT scan of the chest to evaluate for tracheomalacia. The 2019 CT scan identified a low-density lesion (Hounsfield) in the posteromedial aspect of the right hepatic lobe. A liver MRI was recommended which led to the diagnosis of locally advanced/unresectable hepatic Stage III(b) cholangiocarcinoma.

The plaintiff’s expert was prepared to testify that there was a lesion in the posteromedial aspect of the right hepatic lobe visible on the 6/1/18 CT scan of the chest which was a worrisome and abnormal finding that the radiologist failed to identify and report.

The parties settled the case for $2,000,000 shortly before trial.

Lubin & Meyer attorneys Andrew C. Meyer and William J. Thompson represented the plaintiff in this medical malpractice lawsuit.


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