Home / Crime and Justice / Doctor's Error Costs $56.8M in Disfigurement Lawsuit
Doctor's Error Costs $56.8M in Disfigurement Lawsuit
18 Dec, 2025
Summary
- A jury awarded over $56.8 million to the estate of a Vietnam veteran.
- The veteran suffered disfigurement due to a doctor's negligent cancer treatment.
- The veteran died eight years after the initial disfiguring procedure.
A Fulton County jury has rendered a significant verdict, awarding over $56.8 million to the estate of deceased Vietnam veteran Tony Waldrop. The lawsuit centered on claims of medical negligence by dermatologist Dr. Payne, who treated Waldrop's skin cancer. Initially, the VA could not provide a timely appointment, leading Waldrop to seek care from Dr. Payne.
Following an initial procedure to remove cancerous tissue from Waldrop's ear, the cancer reappeared. According to court documents, Dr. Payne allegedly failed to send the removed tissue for a biopsy, mistaking it for a cyst. This critical omission proved detrimental for a high-risk cancer patient.
The cancer rapidly progressed, deeply invading Waldrop's face and causing severe disfigurement. His family states he endured eight years of suffering before his passing. The jury's decision last week found Dr. Payne negligent, concluding a lengthy legal battle that highlights the consequences of medical oversight.
