(845) 802-0047Physicians frequently rely on CAT scans, MRIs, x-rays, ultrasounds, and other diagnostic studies to correctly and promptly diagnose their patients. It is only with a correct diagnosis that they can appropriately treat patient conditions. It should be noted that there are times in which radiology errors occur—medical professionals may have read an imaging study incorrectly, read the wrong patient’s study, or performed the wrong study entirely.
In some circumstances, injured patients could hold a radiologist or radiology staff liable for any errors that occurred with assistance from a Kingston radiology error lawyer. A well-versed medical malpractice attorney could provide the legal guidance you need to help you through this difficult time in your life.
What is the Duty of a Radiologist?
A radiologist is a specific type of doctor who is trained to read and interpret the results of ultrasounds, x-rays, MRIs, and other imaging tests. When necessary, the radiologist must work with other members of the healthcare team for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. If a patient suffers damages with the reading of an imaging study and the radiologist has breached their reasonable duty of care to their patient, a Kingston radiology error attorney could work to hold the radiologist liable for the patient’s damages.
Could there be Multiple Defendants in Radiology Error Cases?
If more than one person contributed to causing a radiology error, they could all be named as liable defendants with the help of a skilled attorney. As an example, the radiologist may have read the imaging test wrong or reported the wrong results. This may have caused the ordering physician to order the wrong test or an incomplete test.
In cases with multiple defendants, New York Civil Practice Law & Rules §4011a grants the court the right to assign each defendant a degree of liability which corresponds to how much they owe the plaintiff in damages. If one defendant is 10 percent at fault and another is 90 percent, they would each be liable for an equivalent percentage of the plaintiff’s total damages.
Possible Damages from Radiology Mistakes
The objective of a radiology error lawsuit is to obtain monetary compensation for the plaintiff’s damages. Damages represent the losses or inconveniences, can be financial, physical, or emotional, the plaintiff endures.
Recoverable damages in a radiology error case might include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
Potential plaintiffs should discuss their injuries with a radiology error lawyer in Kingston to help determine how much their case could be worth.
Retain a Kingston Radiology Error Attorney for Professional Legal Guidance
If you were misdiagnosed, received a delayed diagnosis, or suffered from another type of medical error that involves the use of imaging studies, you may need a Kingston radiology error lawyer to help you fight for the damages to which you are entitled. An experienced attorney could work to demonstrate in court how the radiologist or other members of the healthcare team were negligent in your medical care, and how this negligence led to your damages.
It is important to note that the law only provides potential plaintiffs with a limited amount of time to file their lawsuits in radiology error cases. If you wait too long to file, vital evidence can be lost or compromised over time. Call today to learn more about your legal rights after a radiology error.