When Cancer Treatment Causes Catastrophic Injury

Settlements and Verdicts

In this case, our client was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma and underwent an aggressive chemotherapy regimen administered through a major Pennsylvania healthcare system. The treatment included the intrathecal administration of chemotherapy drugs directly into the central nervous system.

When our clients,  a young married couple in their early forties with 2 children, first contacted Marino Associates, we heard a desperate cry for help; they explained that several other law firms had rejected their case upon a basis that the treating hospital followed a standard treatment protocol for treating Burkitt’s lymphoma.  Marino Associate’s evaluation of the case proved far differently.

We discovered, as treatment progressed, our client began developing neurological symptoms including weakness, numbness, sensory deficits, gait instability, and worsening loss of function in his lower extremities. Despite these alarming developments, chemotherapy treatments continued even as evidence mounted that the patient was experiencing chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity.

Marino Associates on behalf of our clients filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas Philadelphia County alleging that repeated cerebrospinal fluid studies failed to demonstrate malignant involvement of the central nervous system, yet additional intrathecal chemotherapy treatments continued to be administered. Eventually, the patient’s neurological condition deteriorated to the point that he suffered ascending paralysis and required transfer to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for specialized neurological care.  The complaint further alleged that physicians at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania determined that the patient’s neurological injuries were attributable to Methotrexate toxicity. Although some neurological improvement occurred following specialized treatment, the patient suffered permanent paralysis of his lower extremities.

The lawsuit asserted claims involving:

• Medical negligence
• Lack of informed consent
• Failure to recognize and treat chemotherapy toxicity
• Improper continuation of chemotherapy despite progressive neurological deficits
• Pathology-related diagnostic errors
• Hospital corporate negligence
• Failure to implement adequate patient safety procedures

Medical malpractice cases involving cancer treatment are among the most complex cases litigated in Pennsylvania. These matters frequently require testimony from oncologists, neurologists, neuroradiologists, pathologists, rehabilitation specialists, life-care planners, and economists.

At Marino Associates, we investigate whether healthcare providers followed accepted standards of medical care, whether complications were timely recognized, whether treatment decisions were appropriately supported by diagnostic evidence, and whether patients were properly informed of the risks associated with proposed treatment options.

When healthcare providers fail to meet those obligations and catastrophic injury results, Pennsylvania law permits injured patients and their families to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and future care needs.  As demonstrated in this case, the personal injury law firm you choose directly impacts the outcome of your case and recovery.  Where other law firms fail, Marino Associates prevails.