Radiology errors and missed findings in Michigan hospitals and clinics aren’t just annoyances that cause patients unnecessary return trips to see expensive medical specialists. In the worst cases, these mistakes are very literally life-or-death matters. If critical medical treatment was delayed or denied, causing suffering and limiting your options, all because a radiology scan missed a cancerous growth or other issue, you and your family may have legal options.
More people than ever are being sent to radiologists for advanced diagnostic imaging procedures like MRIs, CT scans, and digital X-rays. Unfortunately, even with great leaps in technology, these diagnostic tools are far from perfect. And the human beings who interpret their scans, while highly trained, are also susceptible to making errors like anyone else.
Radiology is a fast-growing field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with above-average job growth expected to continue well into the 2030s. In fact, a study published on the National Institutes of Health website suggests that fully 4% of radiology results may be erroneous. That’s a chilling statistic for anyone looking to these diagnostic tools for answers about critical health concerns.
Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer for Help With Your Radiology Misdiagnosis Case
We all want the same thing when we go to see a radiologist, and that’s to hear that the results of our scans and other tests are completely normal. The unsettling reality, however, is that a “normal” scan result can actually be a form of serious medical malpractice if your provider failed to notice something amiss in your scan results.
Let’s illustrate this with a couple of examples:
- A patient goes to the doctor complaining about severe head pain and is referred to a radiologist for a CT scan. The radiologist declares the scan results to be normal and suggests the patient’s pain may be eye-related. Unfortunately, they failed to notice a cancerous growth that should have called for further testing. This causes the patient’s cancer treatment to be delayed, potentially making it more expensive and less effective.
- Someone with a labor-intensive job falls awkwardly on their leg at work and is sent to the local hospital for X-rays. The radiology department says they are only suffering from inflammation and can return to work the next day. There, they suffer an even more serious injury when they put pressure on the injured leg, and an undiagnosed fracture splits further, leading to severe pain and months of immobility.
Michigan medical malpractice laws can be extremely complicated, especially when it comes to putting a concrete legal framework on the subtle art of interpreting X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other radiological healthcare tools. With the sensitivity and resolution of modern technology, the difference between a missed diagnosis and an emerging issue that is legitimately too small to notice can be a matter of a few pixels or a few cells.
The complicated nature of making a medical malpractice claim against a Michigan radiologist often calls for intervention from a talented and reputable medical malpractice attorney in Michigan who has extensive knowledge and experience with radiology cases. If you are planning to launch a medical malpractice case related to a serious issue that was missed during a diagnostic radiology procedure, the law firm of Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC can help.
FAQs About Radiology Errors and Missed Findings in Michigan
What Types of Radiology Errors Are Most Common in Michigan Medical Malpractice Cases?
The most common types of radiology errors in Michigan medical malpractice cases, and medical malpractice cases around the country, according to an NIH study, include failed diagnoses, procedural complications, and miscommunications with patients or other doctors. If you believe an incident with your radiologist may rise to the level of medical malpractice, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
When Does a Missed Diagnosis or Imaging Error Qualify as Medical Negligence in Michigan?
A missed diagnosis or imaging error qualifies as medical negligence in Michigan when the misdiagnosis or imaging issue caused the patient tangible, legally actionable harm, such as injuries or illnesses requiring expensive medical treatment. It’s important to remember that this negligence must be proven using evidence and testimony, however. A medical malpractice attorney can help you achieve this.
What Damages Can Patients Recover in a Michigan Radiology Malpractice Claim?
Patients in a Michigan radiology malpractice case can recover damages related to any illnesses, injuries, or serious medical complications they endured as a direct result of their radiology issue. This can include things like physical injuries during a scanning procedure, but it is more commonly related to missed diagnoses or erroneous scan readings.
For a better understanding of exactly what damages are compensable under Michigan law in your radiology medical malpractice case, speak to your attorney.
How Can a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Prove Liability in a Radiology Error Case in Michigan?
A medical malpractice lawyer can prove liability in a radiology error case in Michigan by presenting the court with quality evidence and testimony that helps tell their client’s side of the story in a legally compelling way. Often, this evidence includes things like medical records, the scan images themselves, and testimony from key witnesses, such as doctors who are considered leaders in the radiology field.
Hurt by a Botched Radiology Scan? We Can Help
If you are suffering the consequences of a failed radiology procedure or a missed diagnosis by a radiologist, you may be wondering whether your situation qualifies as medical malpractice in the State of Michigan. Stop wondering and start standing up for your rights as an injured patient.
Powerful legal help is available in Michigan. By making the decision to hire a medical malpractice lawyer from Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, you are taking your first step towards advocating for yourself against big healthcare systems that think they can treat patients like products and get away with it.
One call or click can help you take the first step towards getting the resources and support you are legally entitled to. Contact Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, today to set up a free consultation.
