A scan that never got read, a radiologist overlooking a clear finding, or a report that never reached the doctor in time—radiology errors like these don’t just create confusion in a chart. They can allow diseases to progress or force patients into unnecessary treatment.
Medical negligence in radiology has permanent effects when a mistake delays diagnosis or steers care in the wrong direction. These cases deserve careful attention because most patients never know an error happened until it’s too late to correct it.
Maryland law holds radiologists to the same standards as other medical professionals. When providers fail to meet those standards and cause injury, families have a legal right to have the case reviewed.
What Medical Negligence in Radiology Looks Like
Doctors rely on imaging results to guide their medical decisions. When the interpretation misses something important, treatment decisions can fail.
Medical negligence in radiology may involve:
- A provider misreading a scan, leading to the wrong diagnosis;
- A visible mass or fracture not mentioned in the report;
- Imaging procedures not performed correctly;
- A failure to send results to the ordering physician; or
- Follow-up instructions that were never recorded or communicated.
Patients often discover these mistakes later, when the condition has advanced or treatment has caused more harm. At that point, radiology records can reveal who saw what and who should have done more.
Maryland law sets strict deadlines. Patients must typically file a malpractice claim within five years of the negligent act or three years after discovering the injury, whichever comes first.
Waiting too long to examine the records can close that window without warning.
Radiology Negligence Across Medical Settings
Radiology touches nearly every part of modern care, meaning mistakes involving images can occur in many care settings.
Common radiology negligence scenarios include:
- A mass missed on a mammogram;
- A brain bleed not identified on a CT scan;
- Breast, lung, or bone cancer visible on prior imaging but never flagged;
- Broken bones or spinal injuries left untreated due to misinterpretation; and
- Prenatal ultrasound findings that should have changed the care plan.
In each of these cases, the question is whether the radiologist followed the accepted practices of the field.
When a Radiology Error Becomes Legal Grounds for a Claim
Maryland law does not permit a claim just because something went wrong. Radiology negligence becomes actionable only when two things are true:
- The provider failed to meet the standard of care, and
- That failure caused physical injury that proper care would likely have avoided.
For example, if a radiologist missed a pulmonary embolism and the patient died before receiving treatment, that may meet the legal criteria for medical negligence in radiology. Even when doctors catch the issue early, the case may not meet both elements of malpractice if no medical intervention could have changed the outcome.
Additionally, the patient must submit a Certificate of Qualified Expert to bring a malpractice claim in Maryland. This certificate must come from a healthcare provider in the same field and confirm that the care violated professional standards and caused injury.
How Radiology Mistakes Appear in the Record
Radiology malpractice leaves a trail in the documentation. Once discovered, patients and families are often surprised to learn the mistake was hiding in plain sight.
Details to examine include:
- Timestamps in imaging logs and report entries,
- Email or message alerts between radiologists and attending physicians,
- Instructions for follow-up testing or referrals, and
- Notes from later providers who caught the oversight.
These cases often hinge on how medical professionals handled the records, not just on what the images revealed. Delays in alerting the care team, unclear communication, or poor documentation can all contribute to radiology negligence.
How Our Maryland-Based Firm Handles Radiology Negligence
Brockstedt, Mandalas & Federico has represented families across Maryland in medical malpractice cases involving radiology for decades. Courts, colleagues, and medical experts respect our approach because we prepare each case with the full support of our legal and medical team from day one.
Our process includes:
- Reviewing scans and reports with licensed radiologists;
- Gathering input from providers in related specialties (oncology, cardiology, emergency care);
- Closely comparing reports, messages, and clinical documentation; and
- Preparing every case with trial in mind.
Radiology negligence cases require familiarity with imaging procedures, communication protocols between departments, and how scan results affect treatment decisions. We bring that experience to every case.
Talk with a Maryland Radiology Negligence Lawyer Today
A radiology error can alter the timing and nature of a patient’s treatment. When those mistakes lead to permanent medical outcomes that proper imaging could have avoided, it may be time to review the record.
We help patients and families understand where the communication broke down, what should have happened under accepted practices, and what legal options may apply under Maryland law.
To speak with our team about radiology negligence involving cancer misdiagnosis, internal injury, birth complications, or delayed intervention, contact Brockstedt, Mandalas & Federico.
Phil Federico is a partner at Brockstedt Mandalas Federico where he helps lead the Mass Tort / Class Action and Environmental Law practices, transitioning into these areas after beginning his career as a medical malpractice litigator.
Phil has led and been involved in historic and groundbreaking litigation with verdicts and settlements exceeding one billion dollars.
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