Woman Misdiagnosed With Cancer: 59-year-old Judy Karpinski underwent a biopsy in September 2021 of two small bumps on her shoulder and her back at Bay Dermatology in St. Pete Beach, Florida. The tissue samples from the biopsy were then sent to UF Health for evaluation. Two days before Christmas, Karpinski’s dermatologist called her with the results: UF Health had determined that she had B-cell lymphoma, which is a fast growing cancer that is often treated with chemotherapy.
Karpinksi was devastated by the cancer diagnosis. She and her husband cancelled their planned six-week vacation to Turks and Caicos, losing their $10,000 nonrefundable deposit. They were distraught about their future.
Bay Dermatology referred Karpinski to Moffitt Cancer Center, where 17 tubes of her blood were drawn for testing. Doctors at Moffitt also performed additional biopsies. After evaluating the testing, Moffitt determined that Karpinski did not have B-cell lymphoma but instead had T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, which most often affects the skin and causes itching, rash-like patches, and sometimes tumors. The treatment provided to Karpinski was topical cream that she would apply at home.
For two months, Karpinski had lived with her cancer misdiagnosis and the fears and emotional trauma that the cancer misdiagnosis had caused her.
UF Heath issued a statement in which it stated: “We seek to provide high-quality care for every patient and a safe, secure environment for our doctors, nurses, staff, patients and their families, and visitors.”
Unfortunately for Karpinski and her husband, they have been unable to find a Florida medical malpractice lawyer willing to take their cancer medical malpractice case because, without permanent physical harm suffered as a result of the misdiagnosis, the expenses associated with bringing and litigating such a claim in court outweigh the likely compensation the Karpinskis may receive from a jury’s award of damages.
Karpinski reportedly filed a complaint with a laboratory accreditation service run by the College of American Pathologists and also requested UF Health remove the cancer diagnosis from her medical records. UF Health reportedly refused to change the cancer diagnosis until the National Cancer Institute reviewed sample slides from the Moffitt biopsy and confirmed the Moffitt diagnosis.
Karpinksi reportedly declined UF Health’s offer to engage in pre-suit mediation because she would be required to give up the right to publicly talk about what happened to her and she would be required to give up her right to sue. Karpinski has said, “I am grateful to be healthy. But they’re turning their back on a false cancer diagnosis. This is not a splinter. This is a big deal.”
If you or a loved one may be the victim of cancer misdiagnosis in Florida or in another U.S. state, you should promptly consult with a Florida medical malpractice attorney, or a medical malpractice attorney in your state, who may investigate your cancer misdiagnosis claim for you and represent you or your loved one in a cancer malpractice case, if appropriate.
Visit our website or call us toll-free in the United States at 800-295-3959 to be connected with cancer malpractice lawyers in your state who may assist you.
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