Understanding Radiology Malpractice
Radiology plays a vital role in modern medicine. Radiologists are responsible for diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses using medical imaging and procedures, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), X-rays, and Computed Tomography (CT). When radiologists make mistakes, the consequences can be life-altering, not only because of missed opportunities to treat medical conditions, but also because patients could be subjected to treatment they do not need. Unfortunately, radiology mistakes are not uncommon. As a patient, you may have the right to sue a radiologist for medical malpractice after a life-altering mistake. Here is what you need to know about radiology malpractice, including common types and how to prove malpractice.
What Is Radiology Malpractice?
Not all radiology mistakes are considered malpractice. For a radiology error to rise to the level of medical malpractice, it must involve a breach of the standard of care. The radiologist must have failed to provide an acceptable standard of care. In other words, they must have failed to act in a manner that another reasonably competent radiologist would have acted under similar circumstances. Additionally, the breach must have resulted in actual harm to the patient.
In Florida, medical malpractice laws hold healthcare providers, including radiologists, accountable for breaching the set standard of care and causing harm to patients. When a person suffers harm due to radiology malpractice, they can file a medical malpractice claim and seek financial compensation.
Common Types of Radiology Malpractice
Radiology malpractice can take many forms. The following are some of the most common forms of radiology malpractice;
- Misinterpretation or misreading of imaging results. For instance, a radiologist may overlook a tumor on a CT scan, resulting in a missed diagnosis.
- Failure to communicate essential or urgent findings to the patient or referring doctor promptly and appropriately.
- Improper imaging techniques. For example, if a radiologist uses the wrong settings on a CT or MRI machine, the resulting images may be of poor quality, leading to an incomplete or incorrect diagnosis.
- Radiation overexposure. When patients receive excess radiation doses during imaging procedures, it can cause radiation burns or increase cancer risk.
- Failure to recommend follow-up tests or the next appropriate procedure. When radiologists detect an abnormality requiring closer examination, they are responsible for suggesting additional tests or procedures. Not recommending further evaluation can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Proving Radiology Malpractice
To successfully pursue a radiology malpractice case in Florida, a patient must prove the following elements;
- Duty of Care: This is established when a radiologist agrees to interpret a patient’s images or performs a radiologic test or procedure.
- Breach of Duty: A breach occurs when a radiologist fails to meet the accepted standard of care, such as misreading imaging results or failing to identify a critical abnormality.
- Causation: The radiologist caused the patient injury or worsened a pre-existing condition.
- Damages: Finally, the patient must show that they suffered quantifiable damages as a result, including physical injury, emotional distress, and additional medical costs.
In Florida, it is also a requirement that before you file your medical malpractice claim, you obtain an affidavit from a medical expert who believes your case has merit. Because of the complex nature of radiology malpractice cases and the strict requirements, it is vital to consult a skilled medical malpractice attorney who can guide you through the process and help you build a strong case.
Contact Our Florida Medical Malpractice Lawyers
If you’ve suffered harm due to radiology malpractice, contact an experienced Florida medical malpractice lawyer at Gunn Law Group P.A. for help pursuing compensation.
