A family in Michigan recently won a lawsuit against a company responsible for the late diagnosis of their loved one’s mesothelioma. The family was awarded $3.5 million in damages after a jury found the company had failed to properly diagnose the cancer in a timely manner.

The family’s father, Charles Smith, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in June of 2018. The lawsuit claimed that the company, a medical imaging provider, had failed to properly diagnose the cancer in a timely manner. The family argued that had the diagnosis been made sooner, it could have given their father a fighting chance at a longer life.

The family’s lawsuit alleged that the medical imaging provider had failed to properly read the results of an X-ray taken of Smith’s chest in April of 2017. The X-ray showed signs of pleural thickening, which is a common symptom of mesothelioma. The lawsuit claimed that the medical imaging provider failed to properly interpret the X-ray, and thus failed to diagnose Smith in a timely manner.

The jury sided with the family, awarding them $3.5 million in damages. This is one of the largest mesothelioma settlements in Michigan’s history.

The Smith family’s attorney, David J.K. Watson, stated that the family was pleased with the outcome of the lawsuit. Watson said, “This verdict sends a strong message to medical providers that they must take their role in diagnosing and treating mesothelioma seriously. We are glad that the jury recognized the negligence of this imaging provider and awarded the Smith family the justice they deserved.”

The Smith family hopes that their victory will help to raise awareness of mesothelioma and the importance of early diagnosis. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. If caught early, it can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Unfortunately, due to the long latency period of the disease, it is often not diagnosed until it is too late.

The Smith family’s victory is a reminder of the importance of early diagnosis and the need for medical providers to take their role in diagnosing and treating mesothelioma seriously. Their case is a reminder that early detection can save lives.