Patient Told to Call for Biopsy Results, Dies after Second Biopsy Finds Cancer; $1,375,000 Settlement Awarded

A settlement of $1,375,000 was reached in Virginia regarding a malpractice lawsuit in which a patient was allegedly told to call for his biopsy results and died after a second biopsy, which was ordered by another provider, found signs of prostate cancer, according to a report from the December 2011 Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements, and Experts. The patient was referred by his primary care physician to a urologist when his PSA level rose. The urologist recommended a prostate biopsy to rule out cancer. The biopsy results indicated cancer, but the urologist claimed that the patient, who had been instructed to call for his results, did not call the office. The patient denied being told to call for his results.