Radiology and Lab Mistakes: When Diagnostic Errors Become Legal Claims
Medical diagnosis often comes down to an educated guess or clinical impression. With careful, ongoing analysis, the diagnosis becomes better established, and treatment can move toward healing. However, with radiology and lab mistakes, the stakes are high. The information these medical tests provide forms the foundation for subsequent treatment, and errors can lead to disastrous results. Discuss your claim with our experienced Cherry Hill diagnostic error attorneys at Ginsberg & O’Connor today.
Radiology Errors
Radiology is a critical element of medical diagnosis, and errors can prove life-threatening. Most such errors fall into basic categories: missing an abnormality, misinterpreting the cause of a finding, and failing to communicate effectively with the treating physician. Some of the most common forms of radiology errors include all the following:
- A missed fracture that can lead to chronic pain, permanent joint damage, and even paralysis
- A missed intracranial hemorrhage, causing a delay in life-saving treatment
- Failure to detect early signs of cancer, including early-stage tumors, can cause the disease to become more advanced and more difficult to treat effectively
- Failing to notify the treating physician of an important finding promptly, thus interfering with timely medical intervention
- Diagnosing something far less serious when the patient has an extremely dangerous tear in their aorta.
For radiology errors to be classified as medical negligence, the radiologist must have failed to live up to the standards set by the profession. This means either failing to take the same action other reasonable radiologists would have under similar circumstances or taking an action they wouldn’t have.
Lab Mistakes
Lab work drives many medical decisions, so errors often pave the way for ineffective or even dangerous treatment. These mistakes break down into several basic categories.
The Mislabeling of Specimens
When patients’ samples are mislabeled or switched, it seriously reduces the chances that patients receive the treatment they need.
The Mishandling or Contamination of Specimens
Improper specimen storage can lead to degradation and inaccurate results. When specimens are contaminated, there is the risk of either false positives or false negatives.
When Testing Is Delayed
When unreasonable delays interfere with processing samples or reporting results to the attending physician, it puts more distance between the patient and the care they need.
If a lab mistake that doesn’t align with the professional standard of care required leaves you harmed, you’ll file your case at the Camden County Superior Court. And it’s in your best interest to have a reputable diagnostic error lawyer on your side.
Give Our Experienced Cherry Hill Diagnostic Error Lawyers a Call
Our compassionate Cherry Hill diagnostic error attorneys at Ginsberg & O’Connor unleash the full scope of our experience and legal knowledge on behalf of every client we faithfully represent, and we’re here for you, too. Learn more by contacting us online or calling our firm at 856-727-1991 today.