Bromme v. Pavitt

Opinion

SCOTLAND, J.

Defendant was decedent Joan Bromme’s physician from 1979 until her death in 1984. In June 1980, Bromme complained of abdominal pain, but defendant did not diagnose its cause. Following her renewed complaints in September 1981, it was determined that Bromme had colon cancer. After Bromme’s death, her husband (plaintiff) brought this wrongful death action against defendant.

Evidence at trial suggested that before June 1981 it was medically probable the cancer, if detected, could have been treated successfully. After that time, successful treatment became medically improbable,…