A New York appellate court has upheld a decision allowing a medical malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Antonio Del Valle to proceed. The ruling, issued on October 6, 2026, affects the plaintiff, Piyanate Manewan, who alleges that Dr. Del Valle's negligence in handling a biopsy led to a delayed cancer diagnosis.

The case, officially titled Manewan v. Huerta, was filed under docket number Index No. 805186/19. The court's decision means that Manewan's claims against Dr. Del Valle will be heard in court, following a lower court's denial of the doctor's motion for summary judgment.

Background

Piyanate Manewan is the plaintiff in this case, claiming that Dr. Antonio Del Valle, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, failed to properly handle a biopsy of Manewan's tongue. This biopsy was critical in diagnosing a potential cancer condition. The case reached the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York after Dr. Del Valle sought to have the complaint dismissed, arguing that he did not deviate from accepted medical practices.

Manewan's allegations center on the assertion that Dr. Del Valle's mishandling of the biopsy and the subsequent pathology report led to a significant delay in diagnosing cancer. The case was initially heard in New York County, where the Supreme Court, under Judge Kathy J. King, ruled against Dr. Del Valle's motion for summary judgment.

The Ruling

The Appellate Division unanimously affirmed the lower court's decision, allowing the case to proceed. The judges involved in the ruling included Mendez, J.P., Rodriguez, Pitt-Burke, Rosado, and O'Neill Levy. The court stated that Manewan's expert witness was qualified to provide an opinion regarding Dr. Del Valle's treatment, noting, "the expert... asserted familiarity with good and accepted medical practices... and personally reviewed the biopsy slide at issue in this case."

The court emphasized that the expert's testimony raised significant questions about Dr. Del Valle's actions. It noted that the expert identified several failures that could have led to an earlier diagnosis of Manewan's cancer. Specifically, the expert criticized Dr. Del Valle for not communicating crucial clinical details to the pathologist, which could have impacted the pathology report's findings.

Impact

This ruling is significant as it underscores the importance of communication and thoroughness in medical practice. It highlights the court's willingness to allow expert testimony to play a critical role in malpractice cases. The decision may encourage other patients who feel they have been harmed by medical negligence to pursue similar claims.

Additionally, the court's affirmation of the lower court's ruling sets a precedent for how courts may handle expert testimony in medical malpractice cases. It reinforces the notion that experts must demonstrate familiarity with both the medical practices involved and the specific circumstances of the case.

What's Next

The case will now proceed to trial, where both sides will present their evidence and arguments. There is potential for further appeals depending on the outcome of the trial. Details were not available in the court filing regarding any related cases pending.