Radiologist Errors and Ohio Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

The following post comes in response to a question from a non-lawyer. For those outside of the legal profession, understanding a medical malpractice lawsuit can be quite difficult. Sometimes even knowing what role medical professionals play in the treatment process can be hard to figure out, let alone navigating the legal system following a medical malpractice injury.

If you or a loved one suffered a medical malpractice injury, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced Ohio medical malpractice lawyer to help secure the compensation you deserve. Call our team at Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA for a free consultation if you suspect any medical professional has committed medical or surgical malpractice.

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Radiologists Play an Important Role in Medical Treatment

Radiologists are licensed doctors who use medical imaging technology in the treatment of patients. Specifically, radiologists rely on things like x-rays, MRI, CT scans, and other imaging techniques to either diagnose injuries or diseases, or treat existing injuries or diseases. The analysis of medical images performed by radiologists can inform and determine, in whole or in part, how an injury, disease, or condition will be treated. The work of a radiologist may be viewed as the foundation for a patient’s treatment plan. Just as a weak foundation can be disastrous for a building, radiologist errors can be disastrous for a patient.

Radiologists Make Dangerous and Sometimes Deadly Mistakes

Radiologist errors may occur for a number of reasons. Misreading a medical image, failing to review a complete series of images, and failing to properly communicate with other treating physicians are some of the most common types of radiologist malpractice that can occur.

Injuries and complications of radiologist errors can be painful, costly, and in some cases fatal. Misreading x-rays, magnetic resonance images, and nuclear imaging results can lead to misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose, which can allow deadly conditions like strokes, clots, or heart conditions to go untreated.

Radiologist Errors May Be Medical Malpractice

As licensed doctors providing treatment to patients, radiologists are held to the same standards as others in the health care industry. Patients have a right to receive competent treatment that is in line with up-to-date standards of treatment. When a radiologist provides care that falls below those standards, he or she may be held liable for medical malpractice under Ohio law.