The Biggest Medical Malpractice Verdicts of 2026

Pennsylvania: $35M Verdict in Unnecessary Hysterectomy After False Cancer Diagnosis

Represented by: Glenn A. Ellis (The Law Offices of Glenn A. Ellis)

A Philadelphia jury awarded $35 million to Isis Spencer, a 45-year-old woman who underwent a full hysterectomy after being told she had advanced endometrial cancer, only to learn after surgery that she never had cancer. The case centered on conflicting pathology results: initial testing at Main Line Health allegedly involved contaminated biopsy slides that falsely indicated cancer, while a subsequent biopsy at Penn Medicine reportedly showed no malignancy. Despite the discordant findings, Spencer alleged she was urged to proceed quickly with irreversible surgery without additional verification. The jury allocated $12.25 million of the verdict to Penn Medicine and an associated physician, while Main Line Health resolved its portion through an earlier, undisclosed settlement.

At trial, jurors appeared to credit a theory of shared causation, finding that the initial lab error did not absolve later clinical decision-making when internal testing contradicted the outside diagnosis. Evidence showed that post-surgical pathology confirmed the absence of cancer, and Spencer described significant physical and emotional harm, including early menopause and psychological distress from believing she had cancer. Penn Medicine has indicated it plans to appeal, arguing the verdict was inconsistent with the evidence. The outcome underscores the malpractice risk that arises when clinicians proceed with life-altering treatment without fully reconciling conflicting diagnostic information or pursuing confirmatory testing.

Conclusion

The largest medical malpractice verdicts of 2026 highlight the serious consequences of medical negligence and the critical role of the legal system in securing justice for victims. As new cases emerge and courts continue to rule on complex claims, these verdicts set important precedents for patient safety and accountability.

For insight into last year's most significant medical malpractice cases, see our Top Medical Malpractice Verdicts of 2025.