$2.7 Million Jury Verdict for the Radiology Error of Misreading CT Scan Leading to Death in Lung Cancer Case

Gail Ingram went to a hospital emergency room complaining of abdominal pain. She underwent a CT scan, which was interpreted by a radiologist, Dr. Barbara Blanco, as showing possible pancreatitis, a gallstone, and no acute bowel findings. Ingram was 61 years old at that time.

After a four-day hospitalization, she was instructed to consult her primary care physician. Less than two years later, she returned to the emergency room still suffering from abdominal pain. The CT scan revealed a 4-cm lung mass, which led to a lung cancer diagnosis.

Ingram, whose cancer was diagnosed at Stage IV, died just over a month later. She was survived by her husband and two adult children.

Her husband, on behalf of her estate, sued Dr. Blanco alleging that she negligently misread the first CT scan, which showed a 1-cm nodule at the base of Ingram’s right lung. Had the nodule been reported, their lawyers argued that she could have been treated with a lobectomy and chemotherapy, which would have given her a 70% chance of survival.

The lawsuit did not claim lost income. The jury signed a verdict for $2.7 million.

The attorneys successfully handling this case were Steven Errante and Marrisa Bellair.

At trial, the Ingram family attorneys presented experts in radiology and oncology.

Ingram v. Blanco, No. DBD-CV 16-6020056-S (Conn. Jud. Dist. Danbury).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling wrongful death cases, misdiagnosis of lung cancer lawsuits, radiology errors and physician negligence lawsuits for individuals, families and loved ones who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Countryside, Bridgeview, Crestwood, Northlake, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Bolingbrook, Melrose Park, Chicago (East Side, Rosemont, Humboldt Park, Belmont Central, Dunning, Old Irving Park, Roscoe Village, Lakeview, Ravenswood Manor, Albany Park, Sauganash, Wildwood, Jefferson Park, Norwood Park, Union Ridge, Oreo Park, North Mayfair, West Edgewater, Buena Park, Wrigleyville, Hyde Park, River West, Printer’s Row, East Pilsen, Illinois Medical District, Armour Square, Prairie Shores, Washington Park), Stickney, LaGrange Park, Maywood, Hillside, Bellwood, York Center, Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Willowbrook, Palos Heights and Orland Park, Ill.

Robert D. Kreisman has been active member of the Illinois and Missouri bars since 1976.