MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

PALM BEACH CIRCUIT COURT

A jury determined a West Palm Beach pathologist was liable for failing to detect a patient's melanoma.

When James Clyde underwent a biopsy in June 2014, the interpreting pathologist, Dr. Jefferson  Morgan, concluded the results were negative. About 20 months later, cancer was diagnosed in the same area that had been tested. Clyde sued Morgan, alleging he misread the biopsy and caused a 20-month treatment delay that greatly increases the likelihood of a recurrence.

The defense contended the biopsy was appropriately read and Clyde's cancer was not easily detected. The jury sided with Clyde and awarded damages of $500,000.

Case: Clyde v. Dermatology Associates of the Palm Beaches

Case No.: 50-2016-CA-009584-XXXX-MB

Plaintiffs attorneys: F. Gregory Barnhart and Brian R. Denney, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, West Palm Beach

Defense attorneys: Hector R. Buigas and Keith J. Puya, The Law Offices of Keith J. Puya, Palm Beach Gardens