Parner
Our New York medical malpractice attorney handles a variety of medical malpractice claims, including claims involving radiology errors. Because most patients do not interact with their radiologists as much as they do their other medical providers, they may not realize the potential for severe injury and damage if a radiologist fails to read an X-ray properly. For that reason, our New York medical malpractice attorneys want you to know the following information about radiology malpractice claims in New York.
What Role Does Radiology Diagnostic Measures Play in My Health Care?
X-rays and other diagnostic tools like CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRIs help physicians diagnose a variety of illnesses and conditions. Diagnostic radiology assists medical professionals in diagnosing such conditions as broken bones, cancer, blood clots, heart disease, digestive issues, fibroids, blockages, and many other conditions. Because these diagnostic tools are not invasive, many physicians begin your examination by using one or more of these tools based on your symptoms.
Although some doctors such as orthopedists, dentists and podiatrists typically read their own x-rays, most doctors do not and rely on radiologists to do the interpreting of the test. Radiologists are specialized medical providers who have been trained to use medical imaging. A radiologist works closely with your physician to order the appropriate tests and to interpret the results of those tests for your physician. Your physician or medical team uses the information provided by the radiologist to diagnose the condition and develop a treatment plan.
However, what happens if the radiologist fails to read the X-ray or another test correctly?
Radiology Errors and Medical Malpractice
Regardless of the health issue you may be facing, prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment. The use of imaging technologies makes it possible for doctors to diagnose illnesses and conditions earlier. With early treatment, some patients can make a full recovery.
However, when a radiologist fails to interpret or read the results of X-rays or other imaging results correctly, the patient can suffer. Some of the consequences of failing to read an x-ray correctly include:
- Misdiagnosis of a disease
- Failure to diagnose a condition
- Delay in effective treatment
- Unnecessary and potentially harmful treatments
- Delay in ordering additional tests that would have been ordered based on the correct results
- Organ damage
- Additional injuries and damage to other areas of the body
- Failure to recognize the important signs and symptoms of a disease
- Death
A radiology error can have life-altering and life-threatening consequences. For some patients, the error may be caught in time by another physician reviewing the X-rays and interpreting the results correctly. However, for many patients, the damage caused by a radiologist failing to read the X-rays correctly is traumatic and permanent. Our New York medical malpractice attorney can help you file a medical malpractice claim for radiologist errors to seek compensation for your injuries and damages.
Contact a New York Medical Malpractice Attorney for a Free Case Review
Radiology errors occur for many reasons. When radiologists fail to read X-rays properly, the patient is the person who suffers. Under New York’s medical malpractice laws, you can hold the medical provider accountable and liable for his or her errors and negligence.
Our New York medical malpractice attorneys help patients who have suffered injuries because of a radiology error fight for a fair and just settlement for their injuries. Contact our office today for a free consultation to discuss your case. Let our legal team find out what led to your injury and hold the responsible person liable for the pain and suffering caused by medical malpractice.