When James Hoznor, 66, developed throat problems, a Veterans Administration (VA) physician ordered an x-ray. The results showed an abnormality at the base of Hoznor’s tongue.
After Hoznor consulted a VA otolaryngologist, a primary care physician Dr. Cornelio Honge told Hoznor that he had a swollen salivary gland and prescribed antibiotics.
For more than a year, Hoznor’s symptoms continued, including swelling of the glands in his neck. Hoznor later sought out an opinion from a non-VA medical provider. A later biopsy showed that Hoznor unfortunately had Stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the throat and tongue.
Despite chemotherapy treatment, radiation and surgery, Hoznor unfortunately died of this disease.
Hoznor was retired and was survived by his wife. His wife, on behalf of his estate, sued the United States alleging its medical providers chose not to timely diagnose the throat and tongue cancer. The Hoznor family claimed that the otolaryngologist should have performed a biopsy and that Dr. Honge should have investigated further when the swollen gland that Hoznor complained about persisted for over a year.
The United States defense was that an earlier diagnosis would not have changed the outcome.
Before trial, the parties settled for $2 million.
The Hoznor family attorney presented experts in oncology and primary care.
The attorney successfully representing the Hoznor family in this tragic case was Kelly E. Reardon.
Hoznor v. United States, No. 3:17-cv-00633-VLB. (D. Conn.)
Kreisman Law Offices has been handling misdiagnosis of cancer cases, physician negligence lawsuits, birth trauma injury lawsuits, birth injury cases and traumatic brain injury 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 Richton Park, Park Forest, South Chicago Heights, Steger, Sauk Village, Flossmoor, East Hazel Crest, Country Club Hills, Blue Island, Crestwood, Oak Lawn, LaGrange, Western Springs, Aurora, Joliet, Romeoville, Oakbrook Terrace, Westchester, North Riverside, Berwyn, Chicago (West Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Ukrainian Village, Uptown, Albany Park, Edgewater, Andersonville, Sauganash, North Park, Jefferson Park, Norwood Park, West Ridge, Rogers Park), Evanston, Wilmette, Northbrook, Wheeling and Prospect Heights, Ill.
Robert D. Kreisman has been an active member of the Illinois and Missouri bars since 1976.
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