When undergoing radiology procedures, we need to feel reassured that we can place our trust in the hands of those tasked with keeping us safe from harm. When radiologic technologists fail in their duty of care towards us, it can have a hugely negative impact on our lives and wellbeing. If you have been the victim of negligence in a radiology setting, we could help you make a successful no win no fee malpractice claim, and get the compensation you need to put things right again.
Can I claim compensation for negligence in radiology?
It is totally understandable that you might be hesitant to undergo the process of making a radiology claim. Many people who do reach out to us are unsure as to whether their experiences warrant making a claim. It is not always clear who is at fault for an accident or injury, especially in a radiology setting where many different medical professionals or even equipment could have been to blame.
But this is where our expertise and know-how comes into play. The easiest and quickest way to find out if you can claim compensation for negligence in radiology is by giving us a call on . We'll listen carefully to everything you have to tell us about your injury, taking the time to understand how it's impacted you and giving you free advice on what to do. You can also request a call back for a time that best suits you or you can see if you can start your claim online today.
What is radiology?
Radiology refers to a medical specialty focused on diagnosing conditions within the body by using special imaging. Familiar radiology techniques include X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI scans, and are used to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions. Certain medical procedures are carried out with the guidance of these imaging technologies, in what's known as interventional radiology.
The person that carries out radiography procedures is known as a radiologic technologist. They are specially trained medical professionals that use and manage the imaging equipment. A radiologist, on the other hand, are medics who are trained to interpret the resulting images and provide a diagnosis report to the doctors working across various departments of the hospital or clinic (they may also provide a report directly to your GP surgery).
Radiology is vital for almost every sector of health care, and its success lies in both the skill of the individuals and teams involved plus the continued smooth running of the equipment and technology within it. Should one or more of those elements not meet the high standards required of them at any stage in the process - in other words, negligence in radiology - then the consequences for those on the receiving end can be devastating.
National Accident Helpline helps people who have suffered needlessly as a result of medical negligence on the part of a radiologic technologist, radiologist or any other healthcare professional associated with the radiology chain. With over years_since years' experience in helping people successfully claim compensation to pay for time taken off work, medical bills, psychological and physical trauma, or any other negative impact of an injury that wasn't your fault, we are here to support you.
Tyrone Allday won over £3,000 in compensation which helped to pay the bills
I saw the National Accident Helpline advert on television and decided to get in contact by phone. Everything was explained to me clearly and I found the whole service to be nice and friendly
What are common radiological diagnosis and treatment techniques?
What are common radiological diagnosis and treatment techniques?
Radiologic technologists and physicians work together across a number of different disciplines related to radiology, different ways in which medical conditions are screened for, diagnosed or monitored. They can be grouped under the following broad categories.
X-Ray
X-rays, otherwise referred to as plain radiographs, are perhaps the most common of all radiology practices. Conversely, they make up a large number of our cases involving negligence in radiology. X-rays usually look at bones, the chest or abdomen. Denser structures such as bones appear whereas air filled areas such as the lungs appear black.
X-rays may be used on their own to diagnose conditions such as fractures, breaks or some pneumonias, however for conditions such as lung cancer additional radiology methods, such as a CT scan, may be required for a complete diagnosis. Stress fractures may only reveal themselves with an additional MRI scan. It is for these reasons that some conditions are initially missed and become much more severe later down the line, giving sufferers grounds to make a radiology malpractice claim.
Specialist X-ray procedures using lower doses of radiation, such a digital mammogram, are used to detect breast cancer.
Ultrasound
When sound waves are used to produce moving images of a part of the body, this is known as ultrasound. Pregnancy is perhaps the most common scenario where ultrasound is used, however it has a number of other functions:
- Breast ultrasounds can be used to distinguish cysts from masses (i.e.: potential tumours).
- A heart ultrasound looks at heart valves, motion, the heart lining and more. It is usually carried out by placing a transducer on the skin above the heart.
- Thyroid nodules can be picked up by undertaking a thyroid ultrasound.
- Gallstones and other abdominal conditions may be detected via abdominal ultrasound.
- A pelvic ultrasound may be used to look for ovarian cysts.
Ultrasound does not involve radiation, meaning it is safe to use on pregnant women. It works by finding contrasts between a solid or fluid-filled mass, so is less helpful in finding conditions where such a contrast is not present.
It is conceivable that you may have undergone an ultrasound scan when an alternative radiology practice would have been more suitable, therefore missing a condition that worsened over time. If this is the case, our specialist medical solicitors may be able to help you build a no win no fee radiology malpractice case and seek compensation for any wrongdoing.
Computed Tomography (CT)
A CT scan, sometimes referred to as a CAT scan, is in essence an upgraded version of an X-ray. A series of X-rays, together with computer modelling, create a cross-sectional image of the inside of the body. They can detect smaller abnormalities than a conventional X-ray, as well as being able to better define areas where tissues overlap.
Dyes may sometimes be used as part of a CT scan to help the medical professional carrying them out to see certain things more clearly, most commonly in the case of scans of the digestive tract.
Owing to its reliance on computer modelling, there is a risk of technical glitches producing a faulty image that could either incorrectly diagnose a non-present condition, or miss one that is there. It is another example of medical negligence in radiology that National Accident Helpline has specific expertise in, and one where we could help you claim the compensation you need to right the wrongs associated with radiology malpractice that you have suffered as a result of.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
PET is a form of nuclear medicine imaging where radioactive glucose is injected into a vein and a positron emission scanner is used to record any radiation that is emitted. By concentrating in parts of the body with high metabolic rates, indicating active growth, PET scans are effective for evaluating the presence of cancerous growth. As they detect new conditions and not any scar tissue related to previous ones, they are highly effective at providing a clear picture where a diagnosis has not previously been possible.
Despite their effectiveness, problems can still arrive from PET scans, for example as a result of insufficient communication on a condition, a prescription error resulting from an incorrect diagnosis or even findings attributed to the wrong case. If any of these sound familiar to you and your experiences, get in touch with our supportive and friendly team on to find out for free if you could make a no win no fee claim for radiology compensation.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI is a form of radiology that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the inside of the body. It is frequently used to evaluate soft tissue such as the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles.
MRI has been a revolutionary development in the field of radiography as it has allowed healthcare professionals to diagnose conditions that could only be assumed in the past, based on an assessment of symptoms. It is more accurate than mammography in the case of breast cancer screening, but is often used sparingly by providers owing to its high cost.
Whilst MRI doesn't use ionising radiation that has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, MRI is less effective in very overweight people or those who have metal in their body. In some cases, it cannot be used altogether.
It is for these reasons that an MRI might not have been carried out when it was required, and a particular condition has been missed. If this example of medical negligence in radiology has happened to you, we want to offer you help and support to put things right. Give our friendly, helpline advisors a call for free on or request a call back, and we will tell you quickly if you are able to make a claim.
Can a radiologist report be wrong?
Can a radiologist report be wrong?
Radiologists are humans like the rest of us, and are therefore capable of making mistakes. A mistake in a radiology setting, however, can have grave consequences to human life. One of the most common reasons for a radiology negligence claim being undertaken is an incorrect diagnosis on the part of a radiologist. Missed diagnoses can involve very serious conditions such as breast or lung cancer, illnesses that can worsen without swift diagnosis to the point where they become potentially lethal.
As more information on complex conditions can emerge over the course of hours, days, weeks or even months, it is common for an initial radiologist report to not paint the fullest picture. Whilst the failure to report something which may appear on scans later down the line does not necessarily constitute an error, the judicial view has been that no failure of observation or interpretation should be considered ‘acceptable'. It is for this reason that if you have suffered from a condition that was missed on a radiologist's report, and then developed or worsened as a result, then we may be able to help and support you through a successful radiology malpractice claim.
Speak to us for free in the first instance on , request a call back or even start your claim online to find out if you are able to make a claim. Making a claim with us is risk-free, as you won't pay a penny unless it is successful.
What is classed as radiology negligence?
What is classed as radiology negligence?
With many different touch points across the radiology spectrum, from radiologic technologists through to doctors, physicians and surgeons, there are multiple points at which radiology negligence may occur. A mistake at any of these stages can lead to serious conditions being left undiagnosed, incorrect treatment being administered or a botched or unnecessary surgical procedure being carried out (which might have resulted in excessive scarring or disfigurement).
You may be able to claim radiology compensation if one or more of the following errors was made during your interactions with medical professionals:
- Failure to correctly interpret radiography images after an examination
- Failure to act upon something that indicated a potential issue
- Inadequate or incorrect reporting of results
- An inadequate examination
- A lack of communication meaning that vital information was not given to the clinician responsible for the patients' care
- Equipment malfunction, or images being taken of the wrong part of the body
Any of these mistakes can have a devastating impact on somebody's life, but we are here to help and support you. If you have any concerns at all about what you deemed to have been negligence in your radiography experiences, then we would like to hear from you. Before calling us, you may wish to use our free online claims calculator which will tell you how much any potential claim could be worth.
What are the most common types of malpractice in radiology?
What are the most common types of malpractice in radiology?
As you would already have read above, radiology malpractice can occur at a number of different touch points throughout the process. With many different medical professionals involved, whether it be the technician operating the machinery, the doctor being given a report and deciding on a course of action, or a surgeon deciding how to use imaging to conduct an operation, the margin for error across the spectrum is slim. Here, we will go into detail on some of the common forms of radiology malpractice.
Missed diagnosis
We trust our healthcare professionals to make a sound diagnosis. Occasionally, they make either an incorrect diagnosis, or miss a condition altogether (for example a bone fracture that may worsen), with serious consequences. Misdiagnosis in radiology, as referenced above, is a more common example, as conditions can develop over a period of time and be missed on an initial investigation.
Whilst this does not technically constitute an error, it is deemed to be unacceptable from a legal standpoint. A potentially grey area, it is why we have over years_since years' experience in negotiating complex legal situations, and helping sufferers of a missed radiology diagnosis get compensation for their suffering. Let us help you understand your rights and support you in whatever decision you would like to make in regards to holding somebody to account for a missed radiology diagnosis.
Misinterpretation of findings
Misinterpreting an examination image can have potentially devastating effects on the entire radiology process. Either through human error or perhaps having used the wrong imaging equipment, an incorrect treatment or medication may be prescribed if the findings of an examination have been misinterpreted by the radiologist writing a report, or a doctor examining an image further. This can have a knock-on effect along the chain.
If your condition, or that of a loved one, got worse or didn't improve as the result of an error in interpretation, then we could help you make a no win no fee claim for radiology compensation. Speak to us for free on to find out if we think we can successfully make that claim on your behalf.
Findings attributed to the wrong case
The healthcare system, and particularly the NHS, is a complex maze of people, processes and computers, often overseeing the care of hundreds or even thousands of patients at the same time. With so many points of contact, examination reports can sometimes be attributed to the wrong person. This is particularly pertinent with such a common procedure as radiology, with countless fractures and breaks being X-rayed across a hospital on any given day. Images can easily drop out of file on their way to a different part of the hospital, or a change in shift patterns may result in the correct image getting lost.
The result? Misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment being prescribed or unnecessary surgery taking place. You may have had to take time off work, or suffered lost earnings. In extreme cases, your condition may have worsened to the point where it is inoperable or terminal. If this is the case, we truly want to help you claim the full compensation that you are entitled to, in order to alleviate the stress of your situation, pay for any urgent treatment or therapy required or to replace lost earnings.
Find out if you can make a claim for yourself or on behalf of somebody else who has suffered this example of negligence in radiology, by getting in touch with our friendly helpline advisors today on or you can request a call back at a time that best suits you.
Poor communication
If an abnormality is detected but not appropriately conveyed to the referring clinician, information that is vital to a patient's care may not reach those responsible for providing it. We rightly expect a high level of care from our healthcare professionals, and put our trust in them to provide it. When communication breaks down between a radiologist and individuals further along the chain, that level of care may be jeopardised.
If you feel that poor communication led to a misinterpretation of your condition and you didn't get the treatment you needed, speak to us today about seeking compensation for any suffering endured as a result. It is free and there's no obligation to go ahead with any radiology claim should you not feel comfortable doing so.
Technical factors
Just as the skill, precision and expertise of the healthcare professionals working in radiology is essential in preventing mistakes being made, so too is the proper functioning of the machinery involved.
Whilst scanning equipment malfunctions can happen, human error can lead to the incorrect imaging technique being used for a particular condition, or images being taken from the wrong area of the body.
No matter what caused the technical error that led to medical negligence in a radiology environment, our UK-wide panel of specialist injury lawyers can be called upon to provide trusted advice and support and litigate on your behalf. It is their job to help build the strongest possible radiology compensation claims for each customer, no matter what led to your suffering.
Abnormality outside the reporter's area of interest
Whilst GPs and hospital nurses often work across different disciplines, certain conditions may require the assistance of specialists in that particular field. Being assigned the wrong specialist for a follow-up imaging procedure, either through misdiagnosis, poor communication or even findings being attributed to the wrong person, can lead to that individual missing something that a specialist in the correct field would otherwise have identified. It is also conceivable that staff shortages led to a less-than-ideally suited individual being assigned to your case on the day of the examination.
The resulting complications can include treatment or medication not reaching you at the required time, incorrect treatment being prescribed or a potentially serious condition being missed altogether.
If you feel that the level of care and expertise provided to you was less than you would have expected, and you suffered as a result, reach out to the friendly and trained team here, who will be happy to provide free assistance and support. If we think you have a claim, we will be able to put you in touch with a specialist radiology malpractice solicitor who can progress the claim for you. They will only take a pre-agreed fee once it is successful. If it is not, you won't pay anything. It's that simple.
Sub-standard examinations and record-keeping
Inadequate or rushed examinations will never paint the full picture, and are a prime example of radiology malpractice in action. In an overburdened NHS that is often understaffed, the time pressures on radiologic technologists are great, meaning they sometimes aren't able to give patients the time necessary to properly identify hard-to-detect conditions.
Even if a thorough examination has been carried out, the time taken to provide a comprehensive report will sometimes deter individuals from doing so. A rushed report that skims over the details could easily be misinterpreted by a clinician, or omit an important detail requiring urgent attention.
These are just a few additional examples of negligence in radiology that may warrant you making a claim for compensation with National Accident Helpline. We are here to offer friendly support and advice and let you know if you have the grounds to make contact with one of our expert radiology malpractice solicitors.
Failure to refer back to the correct referring clinician
Chains of communication in large healthcare settings are often complex. Radiologists interact with a vast number of different individual nurses, doctors, physiotherapists and surgeons. For this reason, a report or diagnosis may be passed to a different referring clinician to the original point of contact If this happens, reports can get delayed or lost, preventing the patient from getting the right care when required, or prolonging suffering.
These malpractice issues in radiology are unacceptable, and you deserve help and support if you have been a victim of them. Give us a call for free on . A member of the team will listen carefully to what you have been through and then make a reasoned judgement on the next steps they can help you take. We have over 28 years' worth of medical injury experience, and are rated as ‘Excellent' by over 20,000 customers on the independent reviews website Trustpilot.
Meet the team
Marcus Lamont
Group People Director
A highly experienced HR professional, Marcus' job is all about managing the great talent that makes our business tick.
View profileMeet the teamWhat could happen if a radiologist makes a mistake?
What could happen if a radiologist makes a mistake?
What happens should a radiologist make a mistake can range from improper healing of a bone fracture through to a missed cancer diagnosis, which could result in death. Treatment may be delayed, illness and suffering prolonged, and you might have to take time off work because of it. Mistakes on the part of a radiologist may mean you have to pay more for prescriptions or painkillers, have to receive care from family or friends or even pay for lifestyle changes such as home modifications and mobility equipment.
Whilst compensation alone might not cover the pain and suffering caused by a radiologic technologist's malpractice, it can help to alleviate the stress and financial burdens associated with it. If you feel that you have been subject to negligence in a radiology setting, then do not hesitate to get in touch with us so we can support and advise you on what actions to take. We know and understand what you are going through, having successfully handled all manner of medical negligence cases over the course of more than years_since years.
What can I claim compensation for?
What can I claim compensation for?
Mistakes in a radiology environment can have a big impact on your day to day life. Our specialist medical negligence lawyers will be able to help you claim back lost earnings, medical expenses such as painkillers, prescriptions, therapy or rehabilitation costs, costs incurred as a result of lifestyle changes, home or work modifications, the price of care or support plus the severity of the injury itself.
We realise that money alone will not undo the hurt and suffering caused by radiology malpractice, but it can certainly help you get your life back on track and take control of a difficult situation. You lose nothing by calling us for free on and speaking to a member of our team, who will help you build a clear picture as to what you can claim for, and whether or not to start the process.
How much could my radiology malpractice compensation claim be worth?
How much could my radiology malpractice compensation claim be worth?
The specialist solicitor assigned to your case will advise you early on how much they will claim on your behalf. They will negotiate your settlement with the other side based on your experience and the impact it has had on your life. The figure you receive will be completely unique to you, meaning there is no set amount for a type of injury.
Things that will affect the amount your solicitor will seek on your behalf include the severity of the injury, whether it will have an impact on your life in the future, the amount of time taken off work or level of care received, adaptations to your home or work life and medical expenses.
Levels of compensation for different injuries are set by the judicial college, and although we won't be able to tell you the exact amount you will receive until the claims process has started, you can use our free compensation calculator which can tell you an estimated figure as to what your radiology malpractice claim could be worth. And if you need free and impartial advice, we are always here to help.
Compensation Calculator
Compensation Calculator
We’ll calculate your compensation in a few minutes.
Frequently asked questions...
Every case we work with is different, which makes it hard for us to say how long your compensation claim might take.
In simpler cases, where fault is clear and undeniable the claim may be settled quickly. However, if you've suffered a serious or life-changing injury, then your compensation claim may take longer because we need to understand the full impact of your injury and make sure your costs are covered.
Our solicitors will stay in touch and keep you informed every step of the way, so that you always know what stage your claim is at.
Around 95% of our cases are settled without the need to go to court. This means there is a very small chance a claim will require a court hearing.
If your case does go to court, your solicitor will be on hand to support and guide you through the process and will make sure you always know what to expect.
Clinical negligence is when medical professionals breach their duty of care. It covers mistakes across diagnosis, medication, treatment, surgery and general care that cause physical injury, psychological trauma or worsen a pre-existing condition.
Clinical negligence applies to all forms of public and private healthcare - from the GP's surgery, hospital, clinic and care home across dentistry, optometry, rehabilitation and therapy.
The most common forms of clinical negligence are mis-diagnosis, mis-prescription, botched surgery, sub-standard advice and injuries in pregnancy or childbirth. If you believe medical or healthcare staff did something – or just as importantly, failed to do something – that caused you physical or psychological harm, then you may have grounds for a clinical negligence claim.
Can I make a radiology negligence claim on behalf of a family member?
Can I make a radiology negligence claim on behalf of a family member?
Claiming on somebody else's behalf is perfectly allowed, and is something that we have successfully handled many times over the course of our years_since years in operation. By speaking to us on behalf of a family member or somebody else that you know, you are what's known as a litigation friend. We understand that the health and wellbeing of your loved ones is of the utmost importance, so we want you to feel confident in reaching out to us on their behalf should they either not feel comfortable doing so or are unable to.
Our specialist advisors have undergone extensive training in handling claims on behalf of family members or friends and will know exactly how to deal with the experience. We do ask, if possible, that we are able to speak to the injured party to confirm that you have their consent to speak on their behalf, but it should not be a barrier to you reaching out to us. Please do give us a call on - it is free and you have nothing to lose by speaking to a friendly and knowledgeable voice over the phone.
Can I make a no win no fee radiology malpractice claim?
Can I make a no win no fee radiology malpractice claim?
There are two ways to find out if you could make a no win no fee claim with us. Firstly, contact us for free on . Our friendly helpline experts will be able to give free and impartial advice as to whether or not you have a case, and will never pressure you into moving ahead with something that you don't feel comfortable with.
The second way is to use our free online claims checker. This will tell you in several easy steps if you have the grounds to make a claim. No win no fee is a risk free way of seeking compensation for suffering endured as a result of radiology malpractice. It means that you won't pay a penny unless your claim is successful, with all legal fees being agreed upon with your solicitor before any further steps are taken to avoid any nasty surprises later down the line.
How do I start my radiology negligence claim with National Accident Helpline?
Starting a claim with us couldn't be easier. The first step is always to give our team a call on , as they will be able to tell you if you have a claim and advise on next steps. Another way to start a radiology negligence claim is by arranging a callback, especially useful if calling us out of office hours. You may wish to start your claim online. Whichever way you choose to reach out to us, we are here to offer the help and support that you need to make an informed decision. Be sure to have as much information to hand as possible before contacting us, as this will all help us give you the right answers at the right time.