Detroit Radiology Malpractice Attorneys

If you’ve ever had an X-ray, MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound, a radiologist has been involved in your medical care – even if you never met them. Like all physicians and medical professionals, radiologists are responsible for performing their work in a way that meets certain quality benchmarks. These guidelines are known as the “standard of care.”

When a radiologist or other medical provider falls short of the standard of care, their actions or failures can cause serious harm. If you suspect a radiologist’s negligence harmed you or a loved one, contact the experienced radiology medical malpractice lawyers at Sommers Schwartz today.

What Do Radiologists Do?

Radiology has progressed from the first X-ray machines to today’s complex CT, MRI, and PET scanners. This technology has steadily advanced a physician’s ability to diagnose various health conditions. Radiologists use these and other methods to create images of bones, organs, and other internal body components.

Radiologic imaging is essential to diagnosing and treating a wide range of medical conditions. Radiologists are trained physicians who review and interpret X-rays, CT, MRI, and other medical imaging. Their education and medical experience give them the knowledge and skills to understand what they see in the images and interpret them for other care providers.

When Does Radiology Malpractice Occur?

A doctor will often order imaging to help make a diagnosis. For instance, imaging can help doctors diagnose conditions like:

• Broken bones.
• Damage to connective tissues, like ligaments and tendons.
• Tumors and other forms of cancer.
• Abscesses and other disease sites.
• Abnormal bleeding.
• Problems with fetal development during pregnancy.

The radiologist interprets the imaging results, including identifying whether these conditions exist. Failing to spot or mislabeling a medical condition can cause serious harm to a patient.

What Injuries Are Caused by Radiology Malpractice?

The results can be devastating when a radiologist misinterprets imaging or fails to spot a medical problem. Injuries that can result from radiology malpractice include:

• Delayed or missed medical treatment. If a radiologist fails to report a problem that appears in imaging, a doctor may believe there’s nothing wrong. The patient and their doctor will move forward as if nothing needs treatment. Meanwhile, the patient’s actual condition can worsen. Tumors grow and spread; infections worsen; broken bones don’t heal. The delay can make treatment more difficult or even impossible.

• Treatment for the wrong condition. Suppose a radiologist misdiagnoses a patient by misreading the imaging. In that case, the patient may receive treatment for a condition they don’t have (and possibly miss out on treatment for a condition they do have). The patient suffers the harm of having their actual condition untreated and may suffer damage from medications or surgery they don’t need.

By the time a patient or physician realizes a radiologist was negligent, the damage may be irreversible. Cancer may be in its final stages, an infection may have spread throughout the body, or broken bones and damaged tissues may cause lifelong pain and limited mobility. The patient may need additional medical care to address problems that could have been resolved quickly and easily had the radiologist interpreted the original imaging correctly.

What To Do if You Suspect Radiology Malpractice

If you believe you or a loved one has suffered harmful consequences from a radiologist’s negligence, don’t wait: Talk to an experienced Southfield medical malpractice lawyer today.

The medical malpractice attorneys at Sommers Schwartz work with a team of nurse consultants and outside medical experts to closely investigate the details of each case. Their years of experience help them analyze the evidence, fight for the best outcome, and win the compensation each client deserves.

When you speak to an attorney about your case:

• Prepare to summarize what happened. If it feels emotionally overwhelming to talk through what happened, have a trusted friend or family member support you before, during, and after. Make time to give yourself rest and care after the conversation.
• Listen to and answer any questions the lawyer asks. This information can help the lawyer give you the best advice as to your options.
• Ask any questions about your case, how the law applies, and how your attorney will be paid.
• Write down the date and time, the attorney’s name, and their contact information so you can reach them again.

At Sommers Schwartz, P.C., your initial consultation is free and confidential. You’ll speak to one of our experienced medical malpractice attorneys. Contact us today to learn how we can help.