NC Jury Awards Verdict in Missed Cancer Diagnosis Case

Case Background

This case arose from a delayed diagnosis of breast cancer that Plaintiff Sarah Jane Early claimed could have been treated earlier had the Defendants met the appropriate standard of medical care. The lawsuit named multiple parties, including Inga Edwin, M.D., a radiologist with Raleigh Radiology, and Mary M. Blanchard, a nurse practitioner at Kamm McKenzie OB-GYN, along with their respective institutions.

On February 7, 2018, Ms. Early had visited her OB-GYN office for her annual exam. During that appointment, she had expressed concern about a dense area in her right breast. Upon examination, a 3-4 cm mass had been detected. A diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound were performed two days later and reviewed by Dr. Edwin, who had reported benign findings. Based on this reading, no biopsy had been recommended, and Ms. Early had not been instructed to follow up.

It was not until over two years later, in May 2020, that Ms. Early had undergone a second mammogram this time at Duke Health which had revealed a malignant mass. A biopsy confirmed that she had stage 3 breast cancer. She immediately began aggressive treatment. Ms. Early and her husband, Jason Stephen Early, filed suit for medical negligence and loss of consortium.

Cause that led to the legal dispute

The lawsuit was based on medical negligence. Plaintiffs alleged that Dr. Inga Edwin had failed to properly interpret the diagnostic imaging and report the suspicious nature of the mass. Likewise, nurse practitioner Mary Blanchard had allegedly failed to order a biopsy or take reasonable steps to follow up on the clinical findings. The Plaintiffs contended that both professionals had breached their respective standards of care, causing a critical delay in cancer diagnosis.

Injury

Ms. Early had been diagnosed with stage 3 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in May 2020. As a result of the delay in diagnosis, she had undergone more aggressive and extensive treatment, suffered emotional and physical distress, and faced a shortened life expectancy. Her complaint detailed pain, suffering, permanent disability, the loss of a chance for a cure, and long-term financial impacts. Her husband had also brought a claim for the emotional and practical toll on their marriage.

Damages

Plaintiffs sought damages exceeding $25,000 for each of the claims. These included medical expenses, lost wages, future earning loss, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and permanent injury. The complaint also argued that the non-economic damages cap under North Carolina law should not apply, citing gross negligence and reckless disregard on the part of the Defendants.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

The case advanced through the North Carolina civil court system and eventually went before a jury in 2025. At trial, the Plaintiffs maintained that medical professionals at both Raleigh Radiology and Kamm McKenzie OB-GYN had failed to follow basic clinical protocols. Their key argument focused on the fact that a palpable mass of that size and texture should have warranted immediate biopsy, regardless of benign imaging.

Defense counsel for Dr. Edwin and Mary Blanchard attempted to shift attention to the benign radiographic appearance and adherence to standard imaging interpretation. They also challenged the link between the alleged delays and the severity of Ms. Early’s cancer outcome.

The jury received the case and answered two central questions: whether Ms. Early had been injured by the negligence of nurse Blanchard, and whether she had been injured by the negligence of radiologist Dr. Edwin.

Legal Representation

Plaintiff(s): Sarah Jane Early | Jason Stephen Early

·       Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Robert Bailey Melvin

Defendant(s): Inga Edwin | Mary M. Blanchard

·       Counsel for Defendant(s): Kelsey Heino

Claims Asserted

The Plaintiffs had brought forward two central claims. The first alleged negligence on the part of Dr. Edwin and Raleigh Radiology for misreading the imaging and failing to detect a dangerous abnormality. The second targeted Mary Blanchard and her employer, Kamm McKenzie OB-GYN, for not initiating further diagnostic procedures like a biopsy after detecting a physical mass. Jason Early, as a co-Plaintiff, sought damages for loss of consortium.

Defense Argument

The defense denied liability and maintained that all care provided had met the applicable medical standards. Dr. Edwin contended that the mammogram and ultrasound results had not indicated malignancy, and nurse Blanchard argued that she had appropriately referred the patient for imaging and acted on the findings received. Both Defendants asserted that a biopsy had not been clearly warranted based on the imaging results available at the time.

Jury Verdict

The jury delivered its verdict in Johnston County Superior Court on March 10, 2025. In its issue sheet, the jury confirmed that Sarah Jane Early had been injured by the negligence of both Defendants Mary Blanchard and Inga Edwin.

Court documents are available upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com