Charleston Cancer Lawsuit Alleges Missed Follow-Up on Roper St. Francis Lung Scan
A Charleston County couple's lawsuit alleges that a lung nodule noted in a 2022 scan was not followed up before a terminal cancer diagnosis. Live 5 News reported the complaint on September 15.
Informational purposes only. This article provides legal information and commentary, not legal advice. Every case is different — contact Traywick Law Offices for a free evaluation.
The Incident
Live 5 News reported on September 15, 2026, that Shannon and Lonnie James filed a lawsuit on September 8 naming Roper St. Francis Hospital and Dr. Alexis Jesup. The complaint alleges that a 2022 cardiac screening identified an eight-millimeter lung nodule with a recommendation for follow-up imaging, but that the finding was not communicated or investigated as recommended.
According to the reported allegations, the earlier scan was reviewed in 2025, further testing identified lung cancer that had spread, and James received a terminal diagnosis. The events in the complaint span several years; they did not all occur in September or October 2026. The station said Roper St. Francis had been contacted and had not yet responded. The allegations remain disputed legal claims, not a finding that the physician or hospital committed malpractice.
Original news report: Live 5 News: Lawsuit: Woman diagnosed with terminal cancer after Roper St. Francis doctor missed scan results (reported 2026-09-15).
What South Carolina Law Says
South Carolina medical malpractice claims generally require evidence of the applicable standard of care, a breach, and causation of compensable harm. A missed follow-up recommendation is important evidence, but a plaintiff must also establish what appropriate care required and how the alleged delay affected the patient's outcome.
Expert testimony and statutory pre-suit requirements can be central to the case. Filing deadlines may depend on discovery and other legal limits, not simply the publication date of a news story. Readers should not infer a diagnosis, prognosis, or claim deadline from this article; those questions require individual medical and legal review.
Your Rights and Options
Patients can request appropriate copies of imaging reports, actual images, referral records, portal messages, and appointment documentation. Ask treating clinicians about unresolved findings and recommended follow-up. For a possible claim, preserve records in their original form and consult qualified counsel without delaying necessary treatment.
What I Look For When Evaluating These Cases
I look for a complete timeline showing when the finding became available, which clinicians received it, what was communicated, and what follow-up occurred. Medical experts must assess whether earlier testing would probably have changed the relevant harm. An adverse outcome alone does not answer that causal question.
How Insurance Companies Will Fight Back
A provider may dispute receipt or interpretation of the report, the standard of care, responsibility for follow-up, or whether earlier detection would have changed the outcome. The actual medical record and expert analysis are more useful than assumptions based solely on the eventual diagnosis.
Related Practice Areas at Traywick Law Offices
Delayed-diagnosis disputes concern serious injury and civil liability questions. Medical malpractice litigation may require specialized counsel and qualified clinical experts.
My Final Thoughts
This is commentary on a real Charleston County lawsuit reported in September, not a medical conclusion about a patient's care. The distinction between allegations, evidence, and proven causation is especially important when a family is confronting a serious diagnosis.
The date at the top is this article's editorial publication date. The original report and incident dates are identified above. Legal commentary is separate from the reported facts; allegations are not court findings.
Talk to a Charleston Attorney
For advice about your situation in Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, or the Lowcountry, contact Traywick Law Offices or call (843) 343-5092. A consultation can help identify the documents, deadlines, and legal issues that need attention.
This article is for general informational purposes only, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Outcomes depend on individual facts, applicable law, and procedural requirements. This article summarizes the linked local news reporting. It does not establish liability or replace the investigating agency's findings or a court's decision.
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