Jury awards Darien woman $49M after doctor fails to follow protocols for monitoring high-risk HPV, allowing her cancer to progress
Jennifer Anderson was patient of Dr. Dzwinka Carroll at Westmed Medical Group from 2013 through 2019. Anderson's lawyers tell News 12 that during that time, she repeatedly tested positive for high-risk strains of HPV, including HPV 16. They say that genotype causes patients to have significantly elevated risk for developing cervical cancer.
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A Darien woman and her family were awarded a total of $49 million Thursday after a Stamford jury found that her gynecologist failed to follow standard protocols for monitoring her high-risk HPV, which allowed cervical cancer to progress to a late-stage.
Jennifer Anderson was patient of Dr. Dzwinka Carroll at Westmed Medical Group from 2013 through 2019.
Anderson's lawyers tell News 12 that during that time, she repeatedly tested positive for high-risk strains of HPV, including HPV 16. They say that genotype causes patients to have significantly elevated risk for developing cervical cancer.
Her lawyers say despite Anderson's results, Carroll did not perform a colposcopy on her, which they claim is normal follow-up procedure.
They add that in September 2019, Anderson told Carroll she had irregular menstrual cycles and bleeding. A mass was discovered on her cervix. Further testing revealed that the cancer spread to her chest, abdomen and pelvis.
Anderson's lawyers say the late-stage metastatic cervical cancer is now expected to cause her death.
They say Anderson's trust in Carroll was betrayed over six years.
"What makes this case so troubling is that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers we have. Jennifer Anderson's tragedy did not have to happen. We hope this verdict sends a message to medical practices that protocols for high-risk patients must be followed," a statement read.
