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CONFIDENTIAL

Nov. 18, 2000

Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular)
Professional Negligence
Medical Malpractice

Confidential

Settlement –  $277,500

Court

USDC Western WA


Attorneys

Plaintiff

John R. Christensen

John L. Messina


Defendant

Philip Lynch


Experts

Plaintiff

John M. Thompson
(medical)

Bonnie Baker
(technical)

Kevin McCarty
(medical)

Ronald Goldberg
(medical)

Defendant

Kristen Barnett
(medical)

Peter Wasserman
(medical)

Marilyn Pattison
(medical)

Facts

The plaintiff contended that she asked a doctor at defendant government entity to check a mole on her back that
had grown and was catching on her clothes. Doctor A did not ask her about her history of sun exposure, moles,
etc. and chose not to biopsy the mole. The plaintiff was diagnosed with seborrheic keratosis.
Five months later, the plaintiff returned to the clinic and asked doctor B to look at the mole. Doctor B referred
her to a dermatologist. The mole was sent for biopsy and found to be metastatic melanoma. The plaintiff
underwent surgery to remove the mole and lymph nodes and had chemotherapy.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff demanded $400,000, prior to mediation. The defendants made no offer, prior to mediation.

Specials in Evidence

$30,578 $12,700

Injuries

Metastatic melanoma went undiagnosed for five months with greater risk of recurrence of disease.

Other Information

The settlement included $40,000 to be distributed between her three children.


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