A jury in Madison County (Illinois) found in favor of Dede Zupanci and Sarah Jolley’s hospital client in a recent medical malpractice suit.

Eight months after having a screening mammogram, the patient, a 57-year-old woman, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She died 10 months later. Patient’s widower alleged that the radiologist misread the mammogram.

Defense argued that the one calcification seen on the 2D mammogram did not warrant a callback examination. Additionally, defense pointed out that unfortunately the patient’s cancer was an aggressive, triple negative one that continued to grow throughout chemotherapy, and an earlier diagnosis would not have changed the outcome. Finally, defense argued that the radiologist was not an apparent agent of the hospital. Plaintiff’s attorney had asked for an award of between $10 and $24 million.

Zupanci, a partner in the firm’s Edwardsville office, is a seasoned healthcare attorney who has exclusively practiced medical malpractice defense for over 20 years. Her strategic thinking and strong understanding of the medicine involved in each case has earned her clients’ trust and esteem. Zupanci is rated an AV Preeminent Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell and has been named to the list of Illinois Leading Lawyers.

Jolley, an associate attorney in the firm’s Edwardsville office, defends clients in complex civil litigation matters, particularly medical malpractice and personal injury. She takes a collaborative, problem-solving approach to litigation and works tirelessly to protect her client’s interests. Jolley obtained her J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 2023.