Florida Radiology Malpractice Attorney
From miscommunicated results to misinterpreted imaging, radiology errors can have dire consequences for patients. At Freedland Harwin Valori Gander, we have handled numerous medical malpractice claims involving radiology errors. If you suspect a radiology error caused injury or wrongful death to you or a loved one, our Florida radiology malpractice attorneys can help you recover maximum compensation for your losses.
Written and edited by our team of expert legal content writers and reviewed and approved by Daniel Harwin
- Content last updated on:
- November 15, 2024
Radiology centers specialize in the use of medical imaging techniques to create images of the inside of a patient’s body. Common forms of radiology technology include X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, fusion imaging, and ultrasounds. This technology is often crucial in helping doctors diagnose and treat patients.
Many serious illnesses and injuries require accurate radiology for a diagnosis. Patients with lung cancer, breast cancer, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, strokes, spinal cord injuries, and many more life-threatening health issues must go through radiology before a physician can make a diagnosis. When a radiologist makes an error, it may lead to a misdiagnosis. Health care providers may fail to diagnose a condition due to the error, or a correct diagnosis may be delayed. Such failures can worsen the patient’s condition or even result in their death.
You may be entitled to compensation for your losses if you or a loved one suffered harm from radiology malpractice. However, getting this compensation is difficult without experienced legal help. The Florida radiology malpractice attorneys at Freedland Harwin Valori Gander are here to help you navigate your options and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
Why Choose FHVG for Radiology Malpractice Lawsuits in Florida?
At Freedland Harwin Valori Gander, we have protected the rights of medical malpractice victims in Florida and beyond for more than 20 years. While our experience covers the spectrum of personal injury law, our primary focus is medical malpractice, which can make all the difference in your case’s outcome.
When you choose our law firm, you’ll experience direct access to a firm partner and the collective experiences of the entire legal team. You won’t be pushed to the side or made to feel like you’re simply a case number. We care about every client and treat them like family, and you’ll notice this approach from the first consultation.
Radiology malpractice cases often involve powerful corporate defendants and insurance companies, but that won’t stop us from fighting for the compensation you deserve. We have the experience, resources, and fortitude to fight large corporations on your behalf. Our medical malpractice attorneys also have experience on the other side of the aisle, defending medical providers and their insurance companies, giving us a unique perspective you’ll rarely find elsewhere.
Medical Negligence Case Results
The FHVG legal team has recovered more than $2.6 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients, including those who suffered harm from radiology and other medical testing errors. Here are a few examples of our noteworthy case results that involved failure to diagnose or interpret medical findings:
- $2.7 million for the failure to appropriately interpret pathology after nasal surgery, leading to a delayed cancer diagnosis
- $2.6 million for the failure to diagnose a pre-operative EKG that led to an improper clearance for surgery and caused the deceased victim to have a myocardial infarction
- $5.3 million for failure to diagnose an elderly gentleman’s spinal cord injury in the emergency room, leaving him with a permanent spinal cord injury
- $1.4 million for failure to diagnose a pulmonary embolism in the emergency room, resulting in a woman’s death
- $5.3 million for failure to diagnose an epidural abscess that led to a woman being paralyzed from the waist down
Recent Client Testimonials
Our results speak for themselves, but countless positive testimonials from our clients further attest to our commitment to securing the best possible results for you and your family. Here are some examples:
My family was really nervous going into this process, but Daniel Harwin made us feel at ease, in addition to the superb results that exceeded expectations. He held hands every step of the way, as his communication and care was top-notch. We can’t imagine anyone spending more time and energy on their clients. – Gregg
Always choose Freedland Harwin Valori Gander! Nailed every aspect of representation. Aggressive when needed but also effective negotiators during settlement. Lawyers need to follow this firm’s lead! – Joshua
An incredible firm. The communication and empathy shown towards my family and my case exceed all expectations. – Michael
Frequently Asked Questions About Radiology Malpractice
It’s natural to have questions if you suspect you’ve suffered harm from radiology malpractice. Our radiology malpractice attorneys have answered some of the most common questions from radiology error victims to help you understand more about these cases.
What Should I Do if I Suspect My Radiology Results Were Misinterpreted?
After a suspected radiology misinterpretation, the steps you take can significantly impact your well-being and potential lawsuit. Consider seeking a second opinion from another qualified radiologist or medical specialist to confirm or refute the initial interpretation. If the second opinion differs substantially from the initial results, get any required medical care and contact a radiology malpractice lawyer.
What Steps Can I Take To Prevent Radiology Malpractice From Occurring in the Future?
As a patient, preventing any type of medical malpractice can be difficult because the primary burden of prevention is on health care providers. However, there are some measures you can take to reduce the odds that you’ll be a victim of radiology malpractice in the future. For starters, choose a reputable health care facility with experienced radiologists and a strong track record of quality care. Additionally, be proactive in asking questions about your imaging procedures and results, and make sure you understand them fully. If anything seems off, trust your instincts and seek care elsewhere.
Can Family Members File a Lawsuit, Including a Claim for Emotional Distress, on Behalf of a Patient Affected by Radiology Malpractice?
If the victim of radiology malpractice survived their injuries, they are usually responsible for filing a lawsuit. However, certain family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death or personal injury lawsuit for damages, including emotional distress, on the victim’s behalf if the victim is deceased or incapacitated.
What Evidence Is Crucial in Proving Radiology Malpractice in Florida?
Radiology images and reports are the most important evidence in proving radiology malpractice. This evidence may include images and reports from the initial scan as well as from any follow-up scans or second opinion procedures. Additionally, expert testimony from third-party medical professionals is often essential to establish the standard of care and demonstrate how the provider breached it.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Expect in a Florida Radiology Malpractice Case?
The type of compensation you may receive in your radiology malpractice case will depend on your unique circumstances. However, the most common types of compensation in these cases include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
What Is the Time Limit for Filing a Radiology Malpractice Claim or Seeking Medical Treatment After an Incident?
Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, there is a two-year deadline, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a medical malpractice claim in Florida. This deadline means you have two years from when the radiology error occurred or the date you reasonably should have discovered the link between your injuries and the error. Either way, you must file a claim no more than four years from the date of the malpractice.
There is no formal time limit for seeking medical treatment after a radiology error. However, it’s best to do so promptly for your health and the preservation of your potential legal claim.
How Can I Choose the Right Attorney for My Radiology Malpractice Case in Florida?
Start by seeking an attorney who focuses on medical malpractice and has experience with radiology cases. Once you’ve found an attorney who meets that standard, schedule a free initial consultation to understand your options. The right radiology error lawyer will inspire confidence in their ability to represent you without promising a specific outcome. They’ll treat you with compassion and respect and answer all your questions.
Understanding Radiology Errors: Types and Consequences
There are several types of radiology errors, but all involve a radiology professional’s deviation from the accepted standard of care. Each type of radiology error has its own potential consequences, including misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and unnecessary interventions.
Improper Scanning Techniques
The accuracy of medical diagnoses relies heavily on properly performed scans. Improper techniques can cause scanning errors at various stages.
For example, improper patient positioning or failure to adhere to standardized protocols can cause distorted or unclear images. Such mistakes can make it difficult for radiologists to identify abnormalities or pathologies accurately. Likewise, equipment malfunctions or calibration errors can cause image artifacts, which are features that don’t accurately reflect the subject’s physical properties. They can be misleading and cause incorrect interpretations.
Equipment Malfunctions
Radiology machines must operate at peak efficiency to produce accurate and clear medical images. This equipment is complex and requires meticulous maintenance and calibration to keep patients safe and ensure high-quality images are produced.
Equipment malfunctions can take various forms, including software glitches, hardware failures, electrical issues, and calibration errors. Such malfunctions may result in suboptimal image quality or the inability to acquire images at all.
While a reasonable radiologist should be capable of detecting malfunctions before they can harm patients, some instances slip through the cracks. In case of a malfunction, protocols should be in place for swift repair or replacement of patient imaging affected by the malfunction. Having such procedures in place will help minimize disruption to patient care.
Perceptual Errors
Radiologists rely on their visual acuity and pattern recognition skills to identify abnormalities. Sometimes, they may misinterpret findings or overlook subtle indications.
These errors do not always result from negligence and can occur from the inherent challenges of visually interpreting medical images. Either way, the errors can cause incorrect diagnoses or a failure to detect critical abnormalities, which can potentially compromise patient care.
Radiologists Fatigue
Radiologists are highly trained professionals responsible for scrutinizing and interpreting a high volume of medical images daily. The demanding nature of their work can cause a phenomenon known as “reader fatigue,” which is a decline in a radiologist’s ability to maintain the same level of attentiveness and accuracy throughout an extended period of image analysis.
The constant evaluation of intricate images can be mentally taxing. The radiologist’s ability to spot abnormalities or make accurate diagnoses may decrease as fatigue sets in. This risk can be a serious concern in health care settings because it may result in missed diagnoses or errors that impact patient care.
Reader fatigue is particularly prevalent in busy radiology departments, where radiologists are under pressure to analyze images quickly. Facilities can often prevent reader fatigue by implementing periodic breaks and mandating limits on workload, duty, and speed.
Mixed-Up Patient Scans
Mixed-up patient scans are a rare but potentially catastrophic radiology error. This unfortunate situation happens when providers confuse or swap the identity of the patients associated with their respective medical images during the imaging process.
This mix-up can occur at various stages, including patient registration, image acquisition, image storage, or image interpretation. The consequences of this type of error are severe because patients may receive treatments or interventions not suited to their conditions. Meanwhile, the recipients of the intended care may be misdiagnosed or face delays.
Signs and Symptoms of Radiology Errors
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of radiology errors is crucial to help you get proper treatment or seek compensation for harm. The following are a few potential indicators of radiology errors:
- Persistent or worsening symptoms: If your health condition fails to improve or worsens despite medical treatment or intervention based on radiological findings, this could indicate an error.
- Inconsistent or conflicting reports: If you receive multiple radiology reports that contain conflicting information or interpretations, it may suggest a problem with image accuracy or the radiologist’s analysis.
- Delayed diagnosis: A significant delay in receiving a diagnosis or treatment may indicate a radiology error, especially if the condition is glaringly obvious in later radiology imaging.
- Second opinion discrepancies: If you seek a second opinion from another radiologist or health care professional, and their assessment or diagnosis differs significantly from the initial one, it could signal a potential error.
The signs of radiology errors can overlap with those of other types of medical malpractice. If you suspect a radiology error, contact a Florida medical malpractice attorney at Freedland Harwin Valori Gander. Our team can help you determine if a radiology error or another type of malpractice may have occurred in your case.
Get a Free Consultation With a Radiology Malpractice Attorney
At FHVG, we are committed to helping radiology malpractice victims and their families pursue the compensation, closure, and justice they need to rebuild their lives after suffering harm. If you believe that you or a loved one may have been injured or killed due to a radiology error, we encourage you to contact our team.
We’re ready to put our 20+ years of experience to work for you. Call (954) 289-5386 or fill out our form online for a free consultation with a radiology error lawyer anytime, anywhere.
free consultation anytime, anywhere.
ALL FIELDS REQUIRED
- ANESTHESIA & PACU ERRORS
- BIRTH TRAUMA
- EMERGENCY ROOM MISTAKES
- FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE OR MISDIAGNOSIS – CANCER
- FAILURE OR DELAY IN DIAGNOSIS OF SEPSIS
- FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT GESTATIONAL DIABETES
- FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE BREAST CANCER
- FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE HEART ATTACK
- FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE OR TREAT AORTIC DISSECTION
- FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE PNEUMONIA
- FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE PULMONARY EMBOLISM
- FAILURE TO TREAT STROKE
- HOSPITAL MALPRACTICE
- INTRAVENOUS INFILTRATION
- MEDICATION ERRORS
- MEDICATION OVERDOSE
- MISDIAGNOSIS
- NEGLIGENT FETAL MONITORING
- OB/GYN ERRORS
- PLASTIC SURGERY ERRORS
- PREOPERATIVE CLEARANCE ERROR
- RADIOLOGY ERRORS
- SPINE SURGERY MISTAKES
- STILLBIRTH & MISCARRIAGE MALPRACTICE
- SURGERY CENTER ERRORS
- SURGICAL ERRORS
- TYPES OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS
CASE RESULTS
TESTIMONIALS
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