Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Doe underwent a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and received a result of 17.4. His primary care physician referred him to a urologist, who allegedly believed the result was 1.5. The urologist allegedly told Doe that he was fine and also allegedly wrote to Doe’s primary care physician and said that Doe had no urological issues. Two years later, Doe underwent another PSA test, which showed a score of 40.4. Doe was then diagnosed as having prostate cancer, necessitating a radical prostatectomy, radiation, and hormone therapy.

Doe sued both physicians, alleging that the urologist had misread the first PSA result and that the primary care physician had failed to recognize this. The defense argued that Doe’s cancer was aggressive and the delayed treatment did not harm him.

The parties settled for $700,000.

Citation: Doe v. Roe, Confidential Dkt. No. (Mass. Confidential Ct. Sept. 14, 2022).

Plaintiff counsel: Peter G. DeGelleke, Bedford, Mass.