Radiology plays a critical role in modern medicine, providing essential diagnostic information that helps guide treatment decisions and saves lives. From X-rays and MRIs to CT scans and ultrasounds, radiologists are responsible for interpreting medical images accurately and communicating their findings promptly. However, when radiologists fail to provide appropriate care, their mistakes can have devastating consequences and may constitute medical malpractice. Although money alone cannot mend the life-altering injuries often caused by such errors, damages for radiology malpractice can help victims obtain the care needed to address their harm. If you or a loved one were hurt by radiology malpractice, you should talk to an attorney about what compensation you may be able to recover. The knowledgeable Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys at Arfaa Law Group are committed to pursuing justice for victims of medical negligence and if we represent you, we will help you seek the compensation you need to move forward.
Understanding Radiology Malpractice and Its ConsequencesRadiology malpractice occurs when a radiologist or other medical professional responsible for diagnostic imaging fails to provide appropriate care. These errors can take many forms, including failing to detect abnormalities in an image, misinterpreting findings, or failing to communicate critical results to the treating physician. For example, a radiologist may overlook a tumor on a CT scan or misdiagnose a fracture on an X-ray, leading to delays in treatment or unnecessary interventions.
The consequences of radiology malpractice can be severe and far-reaching. A missed or delayed cancer diagnosis may result in the progression of the disease to an advanced stage, reducing the patient’s chances of survival and requiring more aggressive treatment. Misinterpreted imaging results can lead to unnecessary surgeries, exposing patients to risks and complications they should not have faced. In some cases, errors in radiology can result in permanent injuries, such as paralysis from a misdiagnosed spinal condition or severe organ damage from a missed vascular blockage.
For patients and their families, the aftermath of radiology malpractice is often overwhelming. In addition to the physical and emotional toll, they may face significant financial burdens, including medical bills, lost income, and the costs of long-term care or rehabilitation. When these harms are caused by negligence, victims have the right to seek accountability through a medical malpractice claim.
Establishing Liability in Radiology Malpractice CasesTo recover damages for radiology malpractice, plaintiffs usually must prove that the radiologist or other healthcare provider acted negligently and that this negligence caused their injuries.
In Maryland, to demonstrate a defendant’s negligence, a plaintiff must prove that the defendant owed them a duty of care. Radiologists have a duty to provide care that meets the standard expected of a reasonably competent professional in their field. This includes carefully reviewing and interpreting diagnostic images, identifying abnormalities, and promptly communicating findings to the patient’s treating physician.
The plaintiff then must show that the defendant breached the duty owed by failing to meet the standard of care, such as by overlooking a clear indication of disease or injury or failing to relay critical results in a timely manner.
Finally, plaintiffs must demonstrate that they suffered damages as a result of the negligence and must offer evidence to prove that such damages are the direct results of the defendant’s breach. For instance, if a radiologist failed to detect a tumor on an MRI, and this delay allowed the cancer to spread, causation may be established. Similarly, if an incorrect diagnosis based on a misread scan led to unnecessary surgery or other harm, the link between the breach and the injury is arguably clear. Expert testimony is often crucial in radiology malpractice cases, as it helps establish what the standard of care required and how the provider’s actions deviated from it.
Recovering Damages for Radiology MalpracticeVictims of radiology malpractice are entitled to seek compensation for the economic and non-economic losses they have suffered. Economic damages include measurable financial losses, such as the cost of additional medical treatments, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and assistive devices. Lost wages and diminished earning capacity may also be recovered if the malpractice impacts the patient’s ability to work.
Non-economic damages address the emotional and physical toll of the malpractice, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Maryland law imposes a cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases, with the amount adjusted annually, but economic damages remain uncapped, which is particularly important in cases involving extensive medical care or long-term disability.
For families who lose a loved one due to radiology malpractice, wrongful death claims may provide additional compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the financial support the deceased would have provided.
Speak with a Dedicated Baltimore Medical Malpractice AttorneyRadiology errors can have devastating consequences, but victims of malpractice do not have to navigate the challenges of recovery alone. If you were harmed by a radiologist’s mistakes, it is important to understand the damages for radiology malpractice you may be able to recover, and you should speak to an attorney. At Arfaa Law Group, our dedicated Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys have extensive experience handling complex medical malpractice claims, and if you engage our services, we will help you pursue the maximum compensation available under Maryland law. We have an office in Baltimore, and we routinely represent clients in medical malpractice cases throughout the city. You can contact us through our form online or by calling us at (410) 889-1850 to arrange a free and confidential meeting.