What's Happening?
A Stamford Superior Court jury awarded $49 million to Jennifer Anderson, a Darien woman, after finding her gynecologist negligent in monitoring her high-risk HPV, which led to a late-stage cervical cancer diagnosis. Anderson was a patient of Dr. Dzwinka
Carroll at Westmed Medical Group from 2013 to 2019. Despite testing positive for high-risk HPV strains, including HPV-16, Dr. Carroll did not perform a colposcopy, a standard follow-up procedure. In 2019, Anderson was diagnosed with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, which had spread to her chest, abdomen, and pelvis. The jury awarded $39 million in damages to Anderson and $10 million to her husband.
Why It's Important?
This verdict highlights the critical importance of adhering to medical protocols for high-risk patients. It serves as a warning to medical practices about the consequences of failing to follow standard care procedures. The case underscores the potential legal and financial repercussions for healthcare providers who neglect patient care standards. It also raises awareness about the need for vigilant monitoring and timely intervention in cases involving high-risk conditions like HPV, which can lead to preventable diseases such as cervical cancer.
