Silver Golub & Teitell Wins $49 Million Jury Verdict for Woman Whose Cervical Cancer Went Undetected for Years

April 9, 2026

A jury in Stamford awarded $49 million to a Darien woman whose gynecologist repeatedly failed to follow standard protocols for monitoring high-risk HPV, allowing cervical cancer to progress to a late-stage, life-threatening disease.

Jennifer Anderson, a resident of Darien, was a patient of Dr. Dzwinka Carroll, an obstetrician/gynecologist employed by Westmed Medical Group, from at least 2013 through 2019. Over the course of multiple annual visits, Ms. 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. Despite these results, Dr. Carroll never performed a colposcopy, a standard follow-up procedure required under the applicable standard of care.

In September 2019, Ms. Anderson presented to Dr. Carroll 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 spread to her chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Ms. Anderson now suffers from late-stage metastatic cervical cancer, which is expected to cause her death.

"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. That trust was betrayed, repeatedly, over six years. This verdict holds Westmed accountable for what happened to her," Silver Golub & Teitell partner Peter Dreyer said.

The trial took place over five weeks before Judge Yamini Menon in Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford. The jury deliberated for three hours before finding the defendants negligent, awarding Ms. Anderson $39 million and her husband $10 million in damages.

Along with Mr. Dreyer, Silver Golub & Teitell partner Sarah Russell represented the plaintiffs at trial.

"What makes this case so troubling is that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers we have. Jennifer Anderson's tragedy did not have to happen. We hope this verdict sends a message to medical practices that protocols for high-risk patients must be followed," Ms. Russell said.

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