Physicians today can often diagnose serious medical conditions significantly earlier than in the past because of advanced diagnostic tools, such as radiology imaging. When a patient learns of a diagnosis sooner, they can take advantage of earlier treatments, which can help mitigate pain, emotional suffering, and financial expenses. Unfortunately, when medical providers make mistakes in administering or interpreting imaging scans, patients can suffer.
If you believe a radiology mistake led to adverse health consequences for you or your loved one, consult with a Danbury radiology malpractice lawyer at Berkowitz Hanna. Our dedicated malpractice team can review the facts of your case and help you pursue a medical malpractice claim.
Radiology equipment, such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, and mammograms, helps doctors diagnose patients. Instead of making a diagnosis based on just looking at the outside of a patient’s body and listening to the patient describe their symptoms, radiology scans give doctors a view of a patient’s body. Radiology equipment allows doctors to identify health problems, like broken bones, tumors, and other signs of diseases and disorders, at their earliest stages.
Proper use of radiology equipment can save lives. However, when it is used incorrectly, or the results are misinterpreted, patients can suffer unnecessary harm. Knowledgeable Danbury radiology malpractice attorneys understand the potential risks of these diagnostic tools and can help injured patients take legal action.
Many different types of malpractice can arise when radiologists, technicians, and other healthcare professionals act negligently.
The most common radiology mistakes concern the misinterpretation of scans. When a doctor fails to notice an abnormality in a scan, the patient can experience serious adverse effects. For example, if a radiologist fails to detect a tumor on a patient’s mammogram, the breast cancer could spread. Instead of being able to take advantage of an early lumpectomy, the patient might have to undergo a radical mastectomy and then fight through brutal rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. A delayed diagnosis can lead to unnecessary pain, hardship, and financial expense. In the worst cases, a late diagnosis can be fatal.
Technicians and doctors performing medical imaging scans sometimes make mistakes in administering the scans. Some patients receive too much medication or the wrong type of drug, resulting in side effects and overdoses. Other patients suffer back, neck, and other physical injuries when technicians mishandle them by manipulating their bodies in uncomfortable ways while administering a scan.
When a radiologist observes an abnormality on a scan, they need to convey the results to the patient and the patient’s primary care doctors. If the patient’s physician does not receive the results, they will not know if there is a problem or how to treat the patient.
Danbury attorneys have experience building strong cases for compensation based on all types of radiology mistakes. A seasoned Danbury lawyer can review a particular situation and determine whether the mistake rises to the level of medical malpractice.
Imaging scans are often the first and best defense that a patient has against suffering serious illness or injury. Radiology scans give physicians an early look at a patient’s overall health. If a radiologist detects a problem on a scan, the patient is often able to seek early treatment. On the other hand, a late diagnosis because of a misinterpreted scan or administrative error can cause a patient to suffer unnecessary harm.
If you suspect a provider made a radiology error that caused you or a loved one to suffer, you deserve help. Work with a trusted Danbury radiology malpractice lawyer who can pursue fair compensation on your behalf. Call our office today to get started.
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