According to the Associated Press, Cassandra Barksdale sought treatment in early 2025 for heavy bleeding caused by fibroids.
After undergoing a biopsy, she was told she had an aggressive form of endometrial cancer and underwent a hysterectomy in May.
The lawsuit alleges doctors later discovered the cancerous tissue used to diagnose Barksdale belonged to another patient. DNA testing ultimately confirmed the sample mix-up, according to the AP.
Barksdale said the misdiagnosis took a devastating emotional toll on her and her family. During a news conference with her attorneys, she said she believed she was dying and even began making funeral plans.
She also told WSB-TV that for seven months, her two sons tried to figure out how they would live without their mother.
Barksdale’s attorney, Dr. Roderick E. Edmond, who practiced medicine for two decades before becoming a lawyer, said the lawsuit is about accountability as much as compensation.
“How the hell did this happen?” Edmond asked during the news conference, questioning how the pathology mix-up occurred.
He emphasized the unnecessary hysterectomy permanently took away Barksdale’s ability to have biological children.
According to CBS News Atlanta, Barksdale said she is now receiving counseling as she continues to cope with the emotional impact of the ordeal.
In a statement cited by the AP, Kaiser Permanente apologized for the error, saying Barksdale “should not have experienced this.”
The healthcare provider added it has implemented additional safeguards designed to reduce the risk of similar incidents and remains committed to resolving the matter fairly.
The AP reported the lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.
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