Jury Clears Doctor in False HIV Diagnosis Malpractice Suit
Table of Contents
Case Background
A Connecticut jury returned verdict, in a medical malpractice lawsuit brought by the estate of Norman Peters against Nuvance Health Medical Practice CT, Inc. and infectious disease specialist Dr. Qurat Mudassar. The case centered on allegations that the Defendants misdiagnosed Peters as HIV-positive based on a false positive test result and prescribed unnecessary antiretroviral medication for approximately six months.
Cause
Norman Peters, then 37 years old, visited Westport Urgent Care on July 24, 2018, seeking testing for sexually transmitted diseases. The laboratory reported his HIV antibody screen as positive, though his HIV viral load came back negative. Peters subsequently sought treatment from Dr. Mudassar at Nuvance Health beginning on August 23, 2018. The physician ordered additional blood work and initially chose to observe the patient without antiretroviral therapy while awaiting results. The August 23, 2018 tests showed a normal CD4 count and negative HIV viral load.
On September 5, 2018, Peters contacted Dr. Mudassar and informed her he was about to enter prison. According to medical records, Dr. Mudassar consulted with another infectious disease physician, and together they decided to start Peters on Genvoya, an antiretroviral medication. The treatment continued through Peters' final office visit with Dr. Mudassar on February 14, 2019.
While incarcerated at Wyatt Detention Center, Peters underwent additional HIV testing. Tests performed on April 30, 2019, and November 25, 2019, both returned negative for HIV antigen/antibody. Prison medical staff discontinued his HIV medication in fall 2019 after these repeated negative results. A telemedicine consultation with Dr. Chung on May 21, 2020, confirmed that Peters likely received a false positive test result. Additional testing on May 26, 2020, again returned negative.
Injury
The Plaintiff claimed that the incorrect HIV diagnosis caused Peters severe emotional distress, depression, sleep difficulties, and general anxiety disorder. The complaint alleged Peters suffered permanent emotional injury from believing he was HIV-positive for approximately one year and underwent unnecessary antiretroviral treatment during that period. Norman Peters died at some point before trial, and his son Javier Peters, as administrator of the estate, pursued the lawsuit.
Damages Sought
The Plaintiff sought fair, just, and reasonable damages exceeding $15,000, plus costs of suit. The complaint claimed damages for medical expenses, emotional pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, fear of future illness, and increased risk of complications from unnecessary medication exposure.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Javier Peters, Administrator of the Estate of Norman Peters
· Counsel for Plaintiff: Bruce L. Elstein
· Experts for Plaintiff: Robert J. Citronberg | Andrew M. Grunebaum
Defendants: Nuvance Health Medical Practice CT, Inc. and Qurat Mudassar, M.D.
· Counsel for Defendants: Sally O. Hagerty | Joseph M. Walsh
· Experts for Defendant: Anne C. Spaulding
Claims
Failure to Confirm Diagnosis: The Plaintiff argued Dr. Mudassar failed to confirm the HIV diagnosis with additional blood testing before informing Peters he was HIV-positive and prescribing antiretroviral medication.
Failure to Identify False Positive: The estate claimed the Defendants failed to recognize the potential for a false positive result when the August 23, 2018 testing showed positive antigen/antibody but negative viral load.
Premature Treatment: The Plaintiff alleged Dr. Mudassar did not review all HIV viral load testing results before prescribing antiretroviral therapy on September 5, 2018.
Continued Improper Treatment: The complaint alleged the Defendants inappropriately continued antiretroviral therapy through the final office visit on February 14, 2019, despite laboratory evidence inconsistent with HIV infection.
Defense
The Defendants denied the allegations of negligence. In their July 2023 answer, Nuvance and Dr. Mudassar admitted that Dr. Mudassar was a licensed infectious disease specialist and an employee of Nuvance acting within the scope of her employment. They admitted ordering blood tests on August 23, 2018, and prescribing Genvoya. However, the Defendants denied that they breached the standard of care or that their treatment caused Peters claimed injuries. The defense maintained that the treatment decisions were appropriate given the circumstances, including Peters' imminent incarceration and consultation with another infectious disease physician before initiating antiretroviral therapy.
Jury Verdict
On December 16, 2025, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the Defendants. The jury found for Nuvance Health Medical Practice CT, Inc. and Dr. Qurat Mudassar on the medical negligence claim and against Plaintiff Javier Peters, Administrator of the Estate of Norman Peters. Jury foreperson Carlos Pena signed the verdict form, which Judge Menon accepted and ordered entered into the record at 3:27 p.m. that same day. The defense verdict concluded the nearly five-year litigation that began with the filing of the complaint in January 2021.
Court Documents