Coffinas and Burke Obtain $1.2 Million for Delayed Diagnosis
On Oct. 5, 2023, SPBMCC Member Eleni Coffinas, joined by Associate Marianne C. Burke, obtained a $1.2 million settlement for a 64-year-old woman whose delayed diagnosis of pancreatic cancer led to an escalation in her condition and an inability to treat.
Delay in Diagnosis Leads to Later Stages of Pancreatic Cancer
In 2017, our client was informed by her gastroenterologist that routine laboratory testing demonstrated a problem with her pancreas. Additional lab studies also showed an elevated pancreatic tumor marker, suggesting a possible malignancy. She was referred by her gastroenterologist for an MRI of the pancreas, which revealed a small mass in the pancreatic tail.
Later that year, she presented to the defendant’s hospital and received an ultrasound-guided endoscopic biopsy of her pancreas. Two cytopathologists reviewed the biopsy samples and incorrectly concluded that the slides were negative for pancreatic cancer.
Our client continued to follow up with her gastroenterologist, who, in December 2017, repeated lab testing, again demonstrating an abnormally elevated pancreatic tumor marker. In February 2018, her gastroenterologist then referred her for a follow-up MRI of her pancreas, which again demonstrated the same abnormal pancreatic mass. However, no additional laboratory testing was then performed until May 2018, when the patient’s pancreatic tumor marker remained elevated. No additional imaging was obtained at that time in response to the same. The gastroenterologist continued to rely on a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, even though his patient remained asymptomatic, with no complaints nor risk factors consistent with the same diagnosis.
In August 2018, a third MRI of the pancreas again reported the same mass of the pancreatic body and tail, which the gastroenterologist believed to reflect an “ongoing benign process.”
In February 2019, the Plaintiff underwent laboratory testing, and her pancreatic tumor marker result was reported to be even more elevated, so a fourth follow-up MRI of the pancreas was performed and demonstrated a very large increase in the size of the pancreatic mass.
Finally, a second ultrasound-guided endoscopic biopsy of the pancreas confirmed a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Two-Year Delay in Diagnosis Leads to Removal of Pancreas and Spleen
Our client transferred her care to a cancer hospital where surgery was performed to remove a portion of the pancreas and spleen. Pathology confirmed a diagnosis of Stage 2B pancreatic cancer, with one lymph node positive for the spread of the cancer. The plaintiff then underwent targeted chemotherapy, which caused subsequent weight loss and chronic diarrhea.
Unfortunately, by November 2022, our client learned that the pancreatic cancer had metastasized to her right lung. She underwent the surgical removal of a portion of her right lung but has now been diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. She received continued cancer treatment; however, by the time she received the correct diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, the cancer could not be cured.
SPBMCC Member Eleni Coffinas and Associate Marianne C. Burke Represent Plaintiff, Obtain $1.2 Million Settlement
SPBMCC Member Eleni Coffinas successfully settled the case against our client’s treating gastroenterologist, as well as the hospital in which she underwent a pancreatic biopsy, and two pathologists who reviewed her initial biopsy slides but failed to recognize and diagnose what had then been an early-stage pancreatic cancer. Fifteen months later, the plaintiff’s cancer could not be cured. The case was settled in Queens County Supreme Court. The settlement of this matter was successfully negotiated between all parties just days before the trial was scheduled to begin.
Learn More About Firm Member Eleni Coffinas
Eleni Coffinas, a member of the firm, is a vigorous advocate for people injured due to medical malpractice. Her legal skills and experience have helped her clients achieve many multimillion-dollar settlements. Ms. Coffinas handles all types of medical malpractice cases, including birth injuries, cancer diagnosis delay, and surgical and cardiac cases. To learn more about Firm Member Eleni Coffinas, click here.