Patients today benefit from advances in medical technology. Physicians understand more about the human body, partly because they can use advanced diagnostic devices, such as X-rays and CT scans. They can recognize irregularities sooner and treat patients faster and more effectively due to radiological technology. However, sometimes physicians, technicians, and other healthcare professionals make radiology mistakes that can lead to devastating outcomes.
If you or your loved one suffered an injury because of a radiology error, our medical malpractice attorneys at Berkowitz Hanna are here to help. A knowledgeable Shelton radiology malpractice lawyer can assess your case and walk you through your legal options.
Radiologists and technicians perform and interpret images from X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, mammograms, ultrasounds, and other diagnostic scans. Physicians and other medical professionals rely on radiologists to review radiology scans to look for abnormalities. Doctors use radiology scans to identify tumors, internal bleeding, broken bones, and other medical problems.
When proceeding with a malpractice claim involving the interpretation of radiology images, working with a seasoned legal team that understands the medical terminology is critical. The Shelton radiology malpractice attorneys at Berkowitz Hanna have the relevant experience and skills to help.
Various types of radiology errors can occur in hospitals and doctors’ offices.
Malpractice can occur when a radiologist fails to identify abnormalities in a scan. With a timely diagnosis, patients can often receive the treatments they need to get better. However, when a radiologist fails to spot an irregularity in a film, the patient will not get the benefit of early treatment. For instance, if a doctor does not identify a broken bone in a patient’s foot, that patient might further injure themselves when they try to walk on it. Instead of getting a cast for a few weeks, the patient might later need extensive surgery. A delayed diagnosis of a terminal illness, such as cancer, might mean that a patient is unable to take advantage of early potentially lifesaving treatments.
If a technician performs a scan wrong, the result will automatically be flawed. For instance, if a technician X-rays the wrong ankle, the radiologist would not be able to detect a problem. In addition, sometimes, technicians can harm patients during the scanning process, such as by manipulating their bodies into the wrong positions.
Even if a technician performs a scan correctly and a radiologist properly interprets the results, problems can occur due to a lack of communication. The radiologist needs to send a full report to the attending physician so that the physician can determine how to treat the patient.
A knowledgeable Shelton attorney can assess a particular radiology error case and help determine whether malpractice occurred.
X-rays and other diagnostic scans are supposed to help physicians make the right diagnosis. However, when a doctor misinterprets the results, your condition can worsen significantly.
When a radiologist’s negligence leaves you or a loved one seriously harmed, you deserve legal recourse. Our compassionate team is here to help you get the payments you deserve. Call today to set up your free consultation with a Shelton radiology malpractice lawyer at Berkowitz Hanna.
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