Minnesota Radiologist Errors Lawyer
Radiology is a form of medical imaging that captures images so doctors and radiologists can interpret them and diagnose illnesses and injuries. Unfortunately, radiologists are no more immune to making mistakes than other healthcare professionals. When they misdiagnose a condition or they do not communicate the findings properly with the patient’s doctor, it can lead to serious complications. In some cases, it can even cause a wrongful death. Doctors rely on radiologists and the images they take to create a treatment plan. If they are basing that plan on incorrect results, a patient’s condition will go untreated and will worsen.
Just like doctors, radiologists can be held liable for the careless mistakes they make. A Minnesota radiologist errors lawyer can help you determine who was liable for your injuries and help you claim compensation for them.
How Do Radiologist Errors Happen?
Radiologists can make a number of mistakes. The most common radiologist errors are as follows:
- Capturing the wrong image, such as the wrong angle of an organ or capturing an image of the wrong organ
- Identifying something in an image but failing to consider the significance of it
- Failing to identify something of concern in an image
- Failing to discuss the radiology procedure with the patient
When a radiologist makes any of the above mistakes, patients may not receive the treatment they need for an injury or illness. Sometimes, patients also undergo treatment that is unnecessary because they do not suffer from the diagnosed injury or illness. In either case, radiologist errors can result in significant harm. If you have been the victim of such an error, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim.
Laws that Govern Medical Malpractice Claims After a Radiologist Error
Minnesota places many laws on medical malpractice claims, including those that involve radiologist errors. The main two to consider include:
- Certificate of merit: A certificate of merit must be submitted by a medical expert fairly early on in the process of filing a medical malpractice claim. The medical professional must state that the radiologist deviated from the high standard of care medical personnel must provide patients. The statement must also certify that another healthcare professional would have acted differently and that the patient’s injuries were a direct result of the radiologist’s injuries.
- Statute of limitations: All personal injury claims in Minnesota are governed by a statute of limitations, or a time limit. After medical malpractice occurs, you have only four years to file your claim. This may sound like a long amount of time, but it is not. Radiologist errors sometimes take years to discover, which could delay the filing of a claim.
Contact Our Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Minnesota Today
At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, our Minnesota medical malpractice lawyers have extensive experience working with the insurers that cover radiologists. When insurers refuse to act in good faith, we will take the matter to court to ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.