Get Your Case Reviewed by a Medical Malpractice Attorney
Enter Your Zip Code to Connect with a Lawyer Serving Your Area
Enter Your Zip Code to Connect with a Lawyer Serving Your Area
Could my radiologist be liable for failure to diagnose a birth defect during my ultrasound?
Question:
Could my radiologist be liable for failure to diagnose a birth defect during my ultrasound?
This site does not provide legal advice and users of this site should not interpret any of the information presented here as legal advice. The information provided merely conveys general information related to commonly asked legal questions. We are not a law firm and the employees responding to questions are not acting as your legal attorney. You should ultimately consult with a Lawyer for your case.
Talk to a Medical Malpractice Attorney
Tell us a little about your injury & get a local Malpractice Lawyer to review your case for Free.Get Informed - Medical Malpractice Laws & Information
- Medical Malpractice Basics - Learn about the basic elements of a medical malpractice case.
- Types of Medical Malpractice - Learn about the most common types of medical malpractice related injuries.
- Key Legal Issues in Medical Malpractice Cases - Find out what legal elements must must exist for a legitimate medical malpractice case.
- Diagram of a Medical Malpractice Case - Get information on the steps involved in pursuing a medical malpractice claim.
- Birth-Related Medical Malpractice - Childbirth injuries are among the most common reasons a medical malpractice case will arise.
- State-by-State Medical Malpractice Laws - Learn about the time limits to file a malpractice claim, limits on money damages, and other state specific laws.
Radiology produces imaging through radiation, and radiologists use and interpret those images to help diagnose certain cancers and conditions. As a result of the radiologist’s duty, there are several types of radiology malpractice lawsuits for failure to diagnose, incorrect interpretation, and use of faulty equipment.
Certain birth defects can be caught by ultrasound testing. If the radiologist fails to properly read the test, the defect may go unnoticed and untreated. This can lead to the birth of a child with a permanent and costly abnormality; one that could have been avoided.
Radiologists have a duty to patients when it comes to reading and interpreting the images that they produce, and are held to the same standard as other radiologists. What the radiologist interprets or diagnoses has a direct effect on the treatment that a physician gives. This sets off a chain of events which can lead the cause for the undiagnosed birth defect back to the radiologist. In the same manner, the radiologist is responsible for maintaining the equipment as well.
The mistakes, misdiagnosis, and misinterpretations can cause lifelong expense and even ruin for families of children with abnormalities. They may even cause death which would include a law suit for wrongful death. Awards are generally very large, but rarely do those awards cover what the family has lost.
If you think that you have a case against a radiologist, contact an experience malpractice attorney as soon as possible, as these cases are costly, lengthy, and require expert testimony.
References: