Jury awards woman $3M in medical negligence case against physician assistant, hospital

A woman has been awarded a $3 million judgment by a jury in her complaint against a New York-based health system accused of medical malpractice.

Cynthia Stoffle, 49, was awarded $1 million for pain and suffering, and $2 million for future pain and suffering, after she sued Oneida Health Hospital over a 2019 emergency room incident, in which she said the physician assistant in charge of her treatment failed to give her a proper diagnosis, resulting in her condition getting worse. 

Stoffle’s attorneys argued successfully in court that if medical protocols had been followed, her condition may have been curable—though the exact nature of that condition remains sealed, according to coverage from the Utica Observer-Dispatch. The outlet reported on the judgment but said it was unable to obtain a copy of the verdict. 

However, during the court proceedings it was revealed that Stoffle had eight “painful and invasive” surgeries that her attorneys argued could have been avoided. As a result of the misdiagnosis and subsequent late treatment, she now has a diminished quality of life and faces a permanent medical diagnosis. 

The physician assistant, George Gebrael, was named as a defendant along with the hospital. He was accused in the complaint of failing to obtain a complete medical history and failing to perform physical examinations of Stoffle, constituting negligence. 

A jury ultimately agreed, and on Oct. 10, found Gebrael and Oneida Health responsible for damages. Both will be forced to contribute to the $3 million payment to Stoffle, per the terms of the verdict. 

For more, read the full coverage from the Utica Observer-Dispatch by clicking the link below.