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Radiologist Malpractice Lawyer
Radiology Malpractice Attorneys in Ohio and Kentucky

Because of radiological testing, diagnosing and treating medical conditions that once were untreatable is now possible. However, just as in any other area of medicine, mistakes are also possible. A radiologist’s job is to interpret diagnostic images such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, mammograms, and more. Because the results of these imaging tests are subject to interpretation, radiology is an area of the medical field often susceptible to medical malpractice lawsuits.
A delayed or missed diagnosis may also constitute medical malpractice, depending on the patient’s health issue and whether they lost valuable treatment time or the problem is incurable as a result. Fortunately, you do have options if you or a loved one experience harm due to an error made by a negligent radiologist. Patients and/or their families may file a radiology medical malpractice claim to seek compensation for their losses when severe medical setbacks, serious injuries, or wrongful death occur as a result of mistakes made by a radiologist.
At TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm, our Cincinnati, Ohio and Northern Kentucky medical malpractice attorneys have experience handling even the most complex cases, including those involving radiological errors. We are well-versed in radiological equipment and standard practices and are proven trial advocates who can help you pursue fair and just compensation for your losses. You may reach us online or by phone at (800) 698-4054 to arrange a free consultation with an experienced radiologist malpractice lawyer from our firm today.

What are Radiology Errors?
When a radiologist reviews medical imaging and diagnostic films such as CT scans, X-rays, or MRIs and gives a patient a clean bill of health, it’s natural for the patient to feel relieved and trust that nothing is wrong. Most people won’t question the results, assuming the medical provider has done their job correctly. However, there are times when the issue doesn’t resolve or even leads to a worsened medical condition, prompting a follow-up scan that reveals a problem that should have been detected in the initial scans.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine defines diagnostic errors as a missed diagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or incorrect diagnosis due to failures or mistakes at any stage of the diagnostic process. These errors are a significant concern in the field of radiology, accounting for around 40-54% of radiology malpractice claims.
When a radiologist fails to detect an issue that should have been caught on the initial scan, misinterprets the scans, or fails to uphold their required duty of care in any way, patients have the right to pursue a radiology malpractice claim to seek compensation for the harm caused.
Types of Radiology Malpractice Errors
There are a number of radiology errors that may result from radiological malpractice. This can include anything from careless mistakes to misinterpreting results to malfunctioning diagnostic equipment and more. Most radiology malpractice cases involve conditions that would have been treatable if caught sooner but have since worsened, leading to permanent patient injury or even, unfortunately, wrongful death.
A common example of a condition worsening due to a delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis is cancer. Cancer misdiagnosis cases can be devastating, as many know that catching signs and symptoms before cancer spreads is absolutely critical. Failure to diagnose cancer can lead to precious time being wasted that could have been used to treat the cancer before it led to further harm and irreversible damage.
Unnecessary medical treatment is another common by-product of radiologic errors. When a radiologist fails to provide a proper diagnosis, patients may endure unnecessary medical treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, or other procedures that can lead to worsening conditions or completely new injuries.
Yet another critical error that radiologists may make is failing to report their findings to the patient’s referring doctor or treating physician. A lack of communication between the radiologist and medical provider is something that easily could have been prevented if proper care had been administered.
At TLF, our personal injury and wrongful death lawyers in Cinncinati, OH and Covington, KY have extensive experience handling radiology error cases and are skilled at uncovering the root causes of medical malpractice and subsequently holding the appropriate party liable for the resulting injury or death.

How Often are Radiologists Wrong?
More than one billion imaging scans are created each year. Whether it’s a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray, or mammography, radiologists must interpret these scan results and report their findings to the appropriate medical provider. Any mistakes made during this process can be catastrophic.
Unfortunately, radiology negligence is increasingly common. In fact, each year, approximately 3-5% of radiologic interpretations rendered contain errors. This may not seem like a lot, but when you put it into perspective, this is equal to approximately 40 million diagnostic errors annually.
Causes of Radiology Errors
According to researchers, most radiological error medical malpractice claims stem from communication errors regarding diagnostic imaging findings or failure to diagnose a condition. Other causes of radiology medical errors include:
- Perception Errors. A radiologist may fail to see an issue in the diagnostic imaging (radiologic abnormalities) and subsequently fail to diagnose a medical condition, which often leads to a new or worsened injury.
- Knowledge Errors. Suppose a radiologist does not possess the required knowledge or experience to form the correct conclusion. In that case, they may be held liable if another more competent radiologist could have made an accurate diagnosis by exercising standard reasonable care.
- Imaging Errors. These errors can be attributed to limitations surrounding the proper application of the imaging equipment. This might include inadequate systems or malfunctioning equipment, a shortage of staff, or inexperience of the staff.

Can You Sue a Radiologist for Misdiagnosis?
Yes, you can sue a radiologist for misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a condition altogether when their failure to accurately read or interpret medical images leads to serious harm. Missed diagnoses in radiology are unfortunately common, with some of the most frequent oversights involving cancer misdiagnosis or an undetected bone fracture.
For example, radiologists may fail to identify lung nodules on chest radiographs (potentially indicating lung cancer), breast lesions on mammograms (breast cancer), or colorectal carcinoma on barium enema studies (colon cancer). Similarly, fractures of critical bones like the femur, navicular bone in the foot, or the cervical spine may be overlooked. Other examples of misses by radiologists that may harm patients include failing to spot a bowel obstruction or brain bleed.
But just how dangerous is the wrong medical diagnosis? Unfortunately, the consequences of a radiologist’s misdiagnosis can be severe and even life-threatening. When a radiologist fails to identify these conditions, patients can suffer from a worsened medical condition that could have been treated or managed if detected earlier.
The accuracy of a radiologist’s interpretation is crucial, as it directly impacts the subsequent diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall patient outcome. If you or a loved one has experienced harm due to a radiologist’s error, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for the injuries and damages caused by the defendant (radiologist responsible).
What Injuries Can Result From Radiology Malpractice?
Some of the most common injuries that may result from radiology malpractice include:
- Progression of Cancer: Misinterpreting imaging studies can result in missed or delayed cancer diagnoses, leading to the spread of cancer and more serious consequences for the patient.
- Inappropriate Treatment: When a radiologist’s error misguides treating physicians, the patient may receive incorrect treatment, including medication errors that can further harm the patient.
- Surgical Complications: Incorrect imaging interpretation may result in unnecessary or wrong-site surgeries, leading to complications or further injury.
- Undiagnosed Fractures: Missing bone fractures on diagnostic films can cause untreated fractures to heal improperly, leading to chronic pain, mobility issues, or further medical complications.
- Worsened Medical Conditions: Overall, any misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose can exacerbate the patient’s condition, resulting in a decline in health, more complex treatment needs, and in some cases, a fatal outcome.

What Damages are Recoverable in Radiology Malpractice Cases?
In medical malpractice suits, both non-economic and economic damages may be available if your Ohio or Kentucky radiology malpractice attorney is successful in your case. Economic damages include tangible items such as lost wages, loss of earning capacity, expenses for medical care, and loss of household services. Examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and mental anguish.
In especially egregious cases, punitive damages may also be awarded, which serve to further punish the defendant and help prevent future instances of malpractice.
Elements of a Radiology Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
A patient cannot receive effective treatment if they don’t receive the correct diagnosis following radiologic examinations. If an improper diagnosis or misdiagnosis causes the patient’s health condition to worsen, they may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
In order to bring a successful claim, your radiology malpractice attorney must demonstrate all of the following:
- A physician-patient relationship existed;
- The radiologist owed a specific standard of care to you;
- A breach of duty occurred;
- This failure directly caused your injury;
- You suffered actual damages as a result.
Like most malpractice claims, radiology malpractice lawsuits are often difficult to prove because clearly showing the distinction between unavoidable adverse events and incompetence is not an easy task. However, this is not to say such a case is impossible. A settlement may still be reached with careful examination from your Covington or Cincinnati personal injury attorney.
For your best chance at proving the required elements of a radiology malpractice lawsuit, contact an experienced radiology malpractice lawyer at TLF today.

Why Do I Need a Medical Malpractice Lawyer After Radiology Errors?
Generally, the odds of prevailing in a malpractice claim are increased if it can be proven that under all the circumstances, a reasonable radiologist would not have made the same medical error under the same or similar circumstances. However, proving this can be rather difficult, especially without the help of a qualified attorney.
The attorney you select to represent you plays a significant role in your case’s success. A lawyer experienced in injury litigation and familiar with the medical profession and malpractice laws in your state is your best chance at reaching an optimal outcome and maximum compensation.
In most successful malpractice cases in the U.S., injured patients receive a settlement for their losses. The rest of the lawsuits go to court, which may either end with the patient receiving a judgment or walking away with nothing. At TLF, our Covington injury lawyers work hard to tie all the evidence together into a solid case so that your outcome, whether achieved through a settlement or trial, is a favorable one.
How Our Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati Radiology Malpractice Attorneys Can Help
When medical providers like radiologists fail to properly interpret medical records and diagnostic images, the consequences can be devastating, leading to increased medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and long-term health complications. That’s why our Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati radiology malpractice attorneys at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm are dedicated to helping radiology error victims understand and navigate their medical malpractice claim.
Our experienced attorneys work closely with medical experts to thoroughly investigate your case, identify where the medical professional went wrong, and build a strong claim for compensation. We are here to guide you through the entire legal process from start to finish, ensuring that you receive the support and advocacy needed to hold negligent radiologists accountable. By partnering with a radiologist malpractice lawyer at TLF, you can focus on your recovery while we fight to secure the compensation you deserve for the injuries and financial burdens caused by the radiology error.

Did Radiologist Malpractice Cause You Injury? Call TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm Today
At TLF, we are experienced in helping victims of radiology errors and their families recover the compensation they deserve for their injuries. In fact, we have over 50 years of experience serving clients injured by radiology errors and many other medical malpractice cases throughout Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio. Rest assured, we know what it takes to bring a strong radiology errors medical malpractice claim, putting in the hard work and dedication to bolster your claim.
If a radiologist failed to provide you with the appropriate care and this medical negligence caused injuries to you or a loved one, our experienced medical malpractice lawyers are here to protect your rights, guide you through the legal system, and fight to obtain fair compensation on your behalf. We have offices in both Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky, and are ready to meet you at your convenience.
To schedule your free consultation, call our Kentucky law office at (859) 578-9130, our Cincinnati office at (513) 651-4130, or toll-free at (800) 698-4054. You may also reach out online to get in touch with a member of our team today.
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We are happy to offer a free consultation to evaluate your case. If you hire us as your legal counsel, we will represent you on a contingency-fee basis. You will pay no attorneys’ fees unless we recover financial damages.