Attorney for Deceased Cancer Patient Argues Doctor Failed to Properly Identify Condition

By Daniel Hawn

Published on August 02, 2005

On New Year's Day 2002, Deborah Artim died of bladder cancer. She was 38 and left behind a husband and three children. Her family is now suing her urologist, Richard M. Hughes, for failing to identify the cancer that led to Artim's death.

In court on June 20, the family's attorney argued that in 1999 Hughes observed "hallmark" symptoms of bladder cancer in Artim and yet did not arrange for the proper tests that would have confirmed the condition.

Another specialist diagnosed Artim with cancer in 2001. However, by this time, it had already spread to her ureters, vagina and lymph nodes.

Hughes' attorney, Gregory S. Nesbitt, responded to the charges by alleging that his client followed the proper course of action in light of Artim's medical history.

Nesbitt argued that because Artim had to empty her bladder manually due to a neurological disorder, she regularly developed urinary tract infections. When Artim informed Hughes that she found blood in her urine, Hughes attributed it to a urinary tract infection. He also identified an abnormality in her bladder as irritation generated by the catheter Artim used.

Both sides are set to present expert testimony in the upcoming days of the trial.

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