Radiology Errors
HOLDING NEGLIGENT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ACCOUNTABLE in Virginia
Radiology is arguably the most complex field in medicine since it deals with the interpretation of such diagnostic films as MRIs, X-rays, CT scans, sonograms, ultrasounds, and others.
A radiologist is a medical professional who reviews, treats, and diagnoses various conditions and injuries. Any radiology errors can result in complications, misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or even death if the underlying condition is not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.
A diagnostic radiologist’s job is to review these diagnostic images to diagnose fractures, internal injuries, bleeding, and other conditions that are not visible without the use of medical imaging. Some radiologists, known as interventional radiologists, are specially trained to not only interpret radiology images but also perform minimally invasive surgical procedures through small incisions in the body.
If you were harmed due to a radiologist’s mistake, contact a Fairfax radiology errors attorney at Jones & Rostant, PC, to determine if your case qualifies for a medical malpractice suit.
Types of Radiology Errors
Statistics show that “failure to diagnose” accounts for the vast majority of radiology-related medical malpractice cases in the United States. Other causes of these lawsuits arise from the radiologist’s:
Lack of experience or qualification
Failure of perception
Poor technique
Misreading CT, MRIs, X-rays, and other scans
Exposure a patient to too much radiation
Delaying diagnosis
Failure to diagnose
Mixing radiology results
Communication errors
Inadequately administering or interpreting mammography (failure to diagnose breast cancer)
Missing a tumor on an X-ray (failure to diagnose lung cancer)
Inability to detect a fracture or break in a bone, which can result in permanent impairment and delay in treatment
Performing a procedure incorrectly.
Failing to adequately inform the patient of the risks and benefits of the procedure.
Radiology errors can lead to irreparable and lasting harm, especially if your medical malpractice involves such serious medical conditions as cancer.
If your condition was not diagnosed due to a radiologist’s negligence, it might progress without the appropriate and timely diagnosis, making it more challenging to treat the condition in the long run.
When Radiology Errors Constitute Medical Malpractice
If your injury arose from a radiology error, you might be entitled to compensation by filing a medical malpractice suit. Doing so would require you to show evidence that the radiologist failed to adhere to the accepted standards of care.
In other words, your Fairfax radiology errors attorney at Jones & Rostant, PC, will have to assess whether another radiologist would have made the same mistake in similar circumstances.
Time is of the essence when it comes to suing a negligent radiologist. If you suspect that a radiology error resulted in delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis, which, as a result, led to complications or unnecessary treatment, you may be entitled to pursue a medical malpractice claim.
Call our Virginia radiology errors lawsuit lawyers at (703) 352-0522 for a free case review.
Call our Virginia medical malpractice lawyers to discuss your course of action. Call at (703) 352-0522 or visit our contact us page.