ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador has approved a $17.5-million settlement in a class-action lawsuit launched by hundreds of patients whose breast cancer tests were botched.
The lawsuit was launched in 2006 after mistakes were detected on hormone receptor tests, which play an important role in determining the most appropriate course of treatment for breast cancer patients.
The settlement was reached last October and the court certified it on Friday.
Eastern Health CEO Vickie Kaminski apologized last year for the devastating toll the errors took on patients and their relatives, many of whom said accurate results may have led to different treatment options.
In all, at least 425 patients had their tests botched from 1997 to 2005.
