When your doctor orders any type of diagnostic scan, it will become the responsibility of a radiologist to interpret the results.
Although the actual exam is often conducted by a radiologic technician, it’s the radiologist who will interpret the scans. A radiologist is a licensed medical doctor who reviews scan results, compares them to a patient’s medical history and any previous results, and then creates a detailed diagnostic report.
The referring physician will use that information to determine a course of action.
That makes the radiologist’s role crucial to a patient’s overall care. It also means that a radiologist can be held responsible for medical malpractice.
A medical malpractice claim is extremely challenging to make, especially when it involves additional professionals, such as a radiologist. The best approach for these types of claims is to retain the services of an experienced Louisville medical malpractice lawyer who understands how to establish causation between a doctor’s negligence and a client’s injuries.
The Role of a Radiologist in Patient Care
The moment your doctor orders any type of diagnostic scan, a radiologist will become a part of your care team. You might not ever meet your radiologist the way you would your doctor, but they will be crucial in determining the extent of your health issues.
These are the roles they play in your care:
Diagnose
The radiologist will analyze the results of your X-ray, MRI, or CT scans to identify any injuries or diseases. They will also determine if the best diagnostic test is being performed for your situation.
Consultation
Once they’ve reviewed the scan results, the radiologist will consult with the referring physician and provide their insights about a potential treatment plan.
Follow-up
After a patient has completed a course of treatment, the radiologist will review follow-up scans of the same area. They can then determine how effective the treatment was and whether adjustments or an alternative plan are needed.
Oversight
The radiologist is also involved in overseeing their team. That means they supervise radiology technicians and ensure all equipment is properly maintained and kept up to date.
Common Types of Radiology Errors and Negligence
Although radiologists undergo extensive training and licensing, they are not infallible.
Errors can occur due to unintentional negligence. When that happens, it can be grounds for a misdiagnosis claim.
Here are some possible examples of radiology errors that might pertain to your malpractice claim:
- Perceptual Errors: The radiologist fails to spot an abnormality on the scan.
- Interpretation Error: The radiologist misinterprets the scan results.
- Satisfaction of Search: This refers to the radiologist finding one abnormality and then stopping to look for additional abnormalities elsewhere in the body.
- Communication Failure: If a report isn’t delivered promptly to the referring physician or if life-threatening issues aren’t communicated effectively, it can constitute a communication failure.
- Poor Image Quality: If there is defective equipment or an improper patient position, it can affect the scan results.
- Prior Exams: A failure to review a patient’s history and prior scans can lead to incorrect conclusions.
- Administration Errors: When images are mislabeled or sent to the wrong patient, delays can result.
It is essential to establish the direct cause of your malpractice claim so that all your evidence reflects on that issue.
Proving Medical Malpractice in Radiology Claims
Once a scan is captured, it can’t be manipulated. That makes it an objective piece of evidence that can be used in support of your personal injury claim. Your attorney will be able to call on their own experts to provide an interpretation of the scans that establishes the causation of your injuries.
In order to bolster your claim, the following types of evidence need to be collected:
- Imaging scans
- Diagnostic reports
- Comparison studies
- Communication records
- Medical charts
All of that evidence needs to be corroborated and detailed by your attorney’s medical experts.
How a Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Help
The statute of limitations for a Kentucky medical malpractice claim is one year. That time starts when the injury is discovered. When you consider all the analysis that needs to be done between medical experts, and the possible delays an insurance company can cause, the year will go by fast.
That’s why you need to speak with an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.
The attorneys at McCoy & Hiestand have successfully supported many clients through the complex process of a medical malpractice claim. Even though your radiologist might be the primary source of neglect, other parties may be involved, such as the referring physician or hospital.
That is why you need to get this case started as soon as possible. Call to schedule your free consultation today. Don’t miss out on what you’re due.
