Jury Awards $49 Million in Connecticut Cervical Cancer Screening Verdict Against Westmed Medical Group

A Connecticut jury awarded $49 million to a Darien woman after finding that her gynecologist at Westmed Medical Group repeatedly failed to follow standard HPV screening protocols over six years, allowing cervical cancer to progress to a late-stage, metastatic disease. The verdict was returned on April 9, 2026, after just three hours of jury deliberation following a five-week trial in Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford.

Case at a Glance

• Verdict: $49 million ($39 million to plaintiff, $10 million to spouse)
• Case Type: Medical Malpractice (failure to follow HPV screening protocols)
• Court: Connecticut Superior Court, Stamford
• Judge: Yamini Menon
• Verdict Date: April 9, 2026
• Plaintiff: Jennifer Anderson, Darien, Connecticut
• Defendant: Westmed Medical Group
• Plaintiff Attorney(s): Peter Dreyer and Sarah Russell, Silver Golub & Teitell LLP
• Trial Length: 5 weeks
• Deliberation: 3 hours

What Happened to Jennifer Anderson?

Jennifer Anderson was a patient of an obstetrician/gynecologist employed by Westmed Medical Group from at least 2013 through 2019. During that time, she attended annual visits and underwent routine testing.

Over the course of those visits, Anderson repeatedly tested positive for high-risk strains of HPV, including HPV 16, a genotype known to place patients at significantly elevated risk for cervical cancer, according to her attorneys at Silver Golub & Teitell.

Despite those results, the doctor never performed a colposcopy, a standard follow-up procedure required under the applicable standard of care for patients with persistent high-risk HPV.

How Was the Cancer Discovered?

In September 2019, Anderson visited the doctor with complaints of irregular menstrual cycles and bleeding. A mass was discovered on her cervix, and subsequent testing confirmed invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

The cancer had already spread to her chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Anderson now suffers from late-stage metastatic cervical cancer, which her attorneys say is expected to cause her death.

What Did the Jury Award?

After a five-week trial before Judge Yamini Menon, the jury deliberated for approximately three hours before finding the defendants negligent. The jury awarded $39 million to Jennifer Anderson and $10 million to her husband in damages.

The verdict is one of the largest medical malpractice awards in Connecticut in recent years.

What Are the Plaintiff's Attorneys Saying?

Peter Dreyer, a partner at Silver Golub & Teitell, said in a statement: "Jennifer Anderson did everything right. She went to her doctor every year, she had her tests done, and she trusted that her results would be acted upon."

Sarah Russell, also a partner at the firm, emphasized the preventable nature of the outcome: "What makes this case so troubling is that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers we have."

How Has Westmed Responded?

A Westmed spokesman said the company disagrees with the verdict but empathizes with the Andersons. The spokesman confirmed that Westmed intends to file post-trial motions and an appeal.

FAQ

Q: What is a colposcopy, and why is it important for HPV-positive patients?
A: A colposcopy is a procedure that uses a magnifying instrument to closely examine the cervix for abnormal cells. It is the standard follow-up when a patient tests positive for high-risk HPV strains, particularly HPV 16, which carries a significantly elevated risk of cervical cancer.

Q: Can cervical cancer be prevented with proper screening?
A: Cervical cancer is considered one of the most preventable cancers. Regular Pap tests and HPV screening can detect precancerous changes early, allowing treatment before cancer develops. When high-risk HPV is identified, follow-up procedures like colposcopy are critical to catching abnormalities before they progress.

Q: What does it mean that the defendant plans to appeal?
A: When a defendant announces intent to appeal, it means they plan to ask a higher court to review the trial court's decision. The verdict amount is not final until appeals are resolved, which can take months or years. The plaintiff may not collect the full award until the appeals process concludes.

A Verdict That Underscores the Cost of Missed Screening

This $49 million verdict sends a clear message about the consequences of failing to follow established screening protocols for high-risk patients. For Jennifer Anderson, years of positive HPV tests went without the standard follow-up that could have caught her cancer at a treatable stage.

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