LEGALLY REVIEWED BY
Michael Hersh and Ian Kirtman, Trial Attorneys
October 8, 2024
Attorneys Michael Hersh and Ian Kirtman are experienced personal injury attorneys who have won their clients more than $100 million in verdicts and settlements throughout their 30 years of experience.
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Radiologists are medical professionals who specialize in diagnosing or treating patients using medical imaging. Medical imaging includes x-rays, CT Scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and other types of equipment. Radiologists interpret the images provided by these forms of equipment. Radiologists then generally consult with other physicians, writing reports detailing the findings from the radiological images and providing insight on necessary future care.
Radiologists are highly trained, having undergone schooling in medical school, a four year residency, and at least one or two years as a fellow obtaining radiological training. Like any medical provider, though, radiologists can and do make mistakes. A radiological error can lead to horrible and permanent outcomes, as it may lead to a missed diagnosis, an incorrect diagnosis, or any other number of potential errors and outcomes.
Hersh Kirtman Injury Law is a Florida personal injury law firm with many years of experience serving clients who have suffered harm due to medical negligence. Our Florida medical malpractice lawyers provide trusted legal assistance to clients who have suffered from medical malpractice, as they seek justice for their losses that resulted from improper X-ray readings. Our team of trusted attorneys has a track record of success and will protect and advocate for you throughout each phase of the Florida medical malpractice claim.
How Radiological Malpractice Can Lead to Injuries
Radiologists are tasked with the important role of interpreting X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and images from other radiological equipment, which helps diagnose injuries or disease, allowing the patient to receive the proper medical care. Radiology, therefore, plays a critical role in the diagnosis of injury and disease, and the determination of the appropriate course of treatment. Radiologists need to perform their work timely and accurately. Failing to do so can lead to catastrophic results.
In the event that a radiological image, such as an X-ray or a CT scan, is not read timely or quickly enough, a patient with a dire need for a diagnosis might lose precious time, which could lead to irreversible harm or death. Sadly, even when a treating physician orders radiological imaging, the images are not always taken as quickly as is needed or ordered, and in other instances, the images are taken but not read as quickly as is necessary. This lost time can be devastating for a patient.
The more common form of radiological malpractice is when the images are not interpreted correctly. A radiologist may miss something in the image, such as a fracture or a tumor. In these instances, the physicians relying on the radiological interpretation will not provide care and treatment for the injury or disease that was missed. In the absence of necessary treatment, the patient may worsen leading to permanent harm or the patient’s passing. In other instances, the radiologist may see an abnormality in the image but interpret it incorrectly. Treating physicians treat patients to address their injuries, diseases, and illnesses. If the treatment team treats the wrong injury or disease, then the patient is likely to worsen, also leading to permanent harm or death.
Radiological interpretations often form the basis for treatment plans and so it is obvious that accurate interpretation is vital. In the absence of an accurate radiological interpretation, the treatment team may fail to provide necessary treatment or expose the patient to unnecessary or incorrect treatment, such as surgery or medications. If you believe that you or a loved one suffered harm from a radiological error, contact a trusted medical malpractice.
How to Prove Liability in a Florida Medical Malpractice Claim
Radiologists and other medical professionals, such as physicians and nurses, hold a duty of care to their patients. When that duty is broken, and harm results, the victim may have a medical malpractice claim to pursue.
When pursuing a medical malpractice claim, the claimant must establish the four elements of negligence:
- The medical professional owed a duty of care
- The duty of care was breached
- The breach of duty led to the harm at issue
- Damages were suffered as a result of the negligence
Protecting Your Rights After a Radiological Error
At Hersh Kirtman Injury Law, we understand how harmful it is to suffer from a medical professional’s error, especially when it involves misinterpreting something as critical as an X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or other radiological image. Our team has years of experience helping clients across Florida who have been injured due to medical malpractice. We are committed to pursuing your claim with care, determination, and attention to detail.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a radiologist’s mistake, it’s important to act quickly to understand your options. We are here to provide guidance, answer your questions, and stand by your side as you navigate the complex legal process. Contact us today at (561) 208-3700 or fill out our contact form to discuss your case and learn how we may be able to help.
