Radiologist Negligence Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

Radiological tests make it possible to diagnose and treat medical conditions that were once untreatable. When medical radiology professionals are negligent in using these critically important diagnostic tools, patients can suffer and sustain life-altering or life-ending injuries. If your radiologist failed to properly diagnose your medical condition, it may be possible for you to take legal action against them in Pennsylvania for radiology error malpractice, which is a type of medical malpractice. At Matzus Law, LLC, we have the experience, perspective, and compassion to fight for your legal rights if you are injured because of radiology errors. Contact a Pittsburgh radiologist negligence lawyer today for a free consultation.

When a Radiologist Misdiagnoses Your Condition

Correct screening is essential to the well-being of all patients

Radiologists are charged with screening patients for a range of medical conditions from cancer to heart issues. If the radiological screening or the medical professional’s interpretation of the screening is incorrect, then the patient cannot be properly diagnosed or treated. Without timely treatment, medical conditions can rapidly worsen.

Among the most common radiology errors which legally constitute medical malpractice include:

• Failure to promptly communicate radiological findings to the physician who ordered the tests;
• Failure to promptly communicate results to the patient;
• Misleading or improperly taken ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and x-rays;
• Failure to use the correct imaging technique for the injury in issue;
• Failing to identify an abnormality or injury;
• Misdiagnosis of the radiological results;
• Faulty reading of cardiac results.

Do You Have a Potential Medical Malpractice Lawsuit in Pennsylvania for Radiology Negligence

Establishing the standard of care for Radiologists

In the United States, the average error rate for radiologists is 30%. Of these errors, 70% are due to the radiologist completely missing at least one physical abnormality. The remaining 30% of radiology error cases are caused when the abnormality is identified but is misinterpreted.

Every industry has their standard of care and the medical industry is certainly no different. Every industry’s standard of care permits some degree of error – the law does not expect us all to be perfect all the time.

Yet in the medical industry, where errors exceed the accepted industry standard, this may be the basis of a medical malpractice lawsuit.

To file a radiology malpractice lawsuit, the injured party must firmly establish for fundamental components:

• There was a duty owed. The party bringing a radiology error medical malpractice lawsuit (the plaintiff) needs to show proof that there was a physician-patient relationship. This relationship establishes a duty of care owed by the radiologist to the patient in issue.
• There was a duty breached. It is critical for the plaintiff to show that through either acts or omissions or both, the physician failed to uphold that duty of care to the plaintiff. This is done by either doing something that should not have been done or by failing to do something that needed to be done..
• An injury incurred. This breach of duty must have caused an injury to the patient. Where there is a breach of duty yet no injury has occurred, there is no potential to sue for radiology error medical malpractice.
• There were actual damages. Plaintiff must show that the radiologist’s breach of duty was the cause of actual and measurable injuries that caused compensable damages to the plaintiff (an inability to work resulting in lost wages, emotional distress).

An experienced radiology errors medical malpractice firm such as Matzus Law, LLC has worked with many radiology error victims who were entitled to compensation in the form of economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages include compensation for medical bills while non-economic damages can cover psychological harm, including your pain and suffering.

A Skilled Pittsburgh Radiologist Negligence Lawyer will Help You Pursue a Radiology Errors Medical Malpractice Suit

The vast majority of doctors and medical facilities are covered by large insurance companies and their legal teams. Because medical malpractice is not a rare occurrence, they know how to deal with radiology errors cases and do on a regular basis. To go up against doctors, hospitals, their insurers and lawyers, you need a Pittsburgh radiologist negligence lawyer on your side who truly understand the mechanics of medical malpractice. With our experience in radiology errors medical malpractice lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Matzus Law, LLC is exactly the firm you need in your corner.

Frequently Asked Questions About Radiology Negligence Lawsuits in Pittsburgh

My radiologist made an error in my diagnosis. Is there a possibility for me to sue?

Yes. There is a standard of care your radiologist has to follow to ensure that things such as errors in making a diagnosis do not occur too frequently. Depending upon the facts of your misdiagnosis, you may have the basis for a legal claim.

Are radiology errors common?

Yes. While only 3.6% of all doctors in the United States are radiologists, from 1985 to 2002 they ranked sixth among all specialists in terms of the number of medical malpractice claims.

If I was injured because the radiologist failed to properly read my exam, is there a chance I could file a lawsuit?

Yes. Where a radiologist fails to properly read or review the results of a radiology exam, this is known as an observation error. At Matzus Law, LLC, we can lead you through a process that allows us to at the facts of your case and then potentially file a claim.