Chicago Radiology Malpractice Lawyer
Radiologists play a critical role in diagnosing illness and injury. When they make mistakes like misreading imaging, failing to flag a tumor, or overlooking signs of severe infection, the consequences can be catastrophic. A delayed cancer diagnosis or missed brain bleed can mean the difference between life and death. If your health or the life of a loved one was compromised due to a radiological error, our radiology malpractice lawyers at Ankin Law can help you recover compensation.
We’ll investigate what went wrong, consult medical experts, and make sure your rights are protected. We’ve helped victims of radiology malpractice in Chicago and throughout Illinois take on hospitals, diagnostic labs, and negligent physicians. Our experienced legal team knows how to uncover where things went wrong and who’s liable—and we’re not afraid to take powerful health systems to court.
We offer FREE consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. At Ankin Law, we treat every malpractice case like it’s personal—because for you, it is.
Call Ankin Law for Your Radiology Malpractice Claim
With over 100 years of combined legal experience, Ankin Law has helped injury victims throughout Illinois recover hundreds of millions in compensation. We’ve gone head-to-head with major hospitals and health networks—and we don’t back down.
- No upfront fees
- Only pay if we win
- Available 24/7 to take your call
Call 312-600-0000 to schedule your FREE consultation with a Chicago radiology malpractice attorney.
What Is Radiology Malpractice?
Radiology malpractice occurs when a radiologist or other medical professional misinterprets or fails to act on medical imaging results, leading to injury, unnecessary treatment, worsening of a condition, or wrongful death. Radiologists are trained to detect abnormalities on X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, mammograms, and ultrasounds. When they misread these scans—or fail to report urgent findings—patients may miss out on timely and potentially life-saving treatment.
In Illinois, radiologists are considered medical specialists and are held to a high professional standard. If their negligence leads to injury or death, they can be held liable for medical malpractice.
Common Radiology Errors That Lead to Malpractice Claims
A wide range of radiology mistakes can lead to malpractice claims in Illinois. Some of the most common errors our law firm sees include:
Misdiagnosis or Missed Diagnosis
A radiologist might overlook a tumor, fracture, blood clot, or infection visible in an image, resulting in a missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. These mistakes can result in delayed or incorrect treatment, worsening the patient’s condition.
Improper Use of Imaging Technology
Errors in how images are taken or interpreted, such as using the wrong scan or failing to adjust for patient size, can lead to inaccurate results.
Wrong-Patient Errors
Occasionally, radiologists interpret scans for the wrong patient, or imaging results are mislabeled, leading to inappropriate or delayed care.
If any of these mistakes harmed you or your loved one, a radiology malpractice lawsuit could help you recover damages.
Failure to Communicate Findings
In some cases, radiologists fail to promptly report critical findings to the patient’s treating physician. This communication gap can delay diagnosis and treatment. In Some cases, such a delay causes harm that’s irreversible.
Failure to Recommend Follow-Up Imaging
If the radiologist fails to suggest additional testing when abnormalities are detected, serious conditions can be missed or ignored.
How Common Are Radiology Errors in Chicago?
Radiology is one of the highest-risk specialties in terms of medical malpractice claims. According to a study published in Radiology, diagnostic errors account for about 75% of malpractice claims against radiologists. Among the most frequently missed diagnoses: breast cancer, lung cancer, fractures, and strokes.
While not every imaging error amounts to malpractice, radiologists are held to a professional standard of care. If that standard is breached, and a patient suffers because of it, the radiologist—or the institution employing them—can be held accountable.
What Causes Radiology Malpractice?
Radiology errors don’t always come down to simple human oversight. In many cases, systemic issues, communication breakdowns, or understaffed departments contribute to medical negligence. Common causes include:
- Cognitive bias: Radiologists may zero in on one diagnosis and fail to consider others.
- Poor image quality: Blurry or improperly taken scans may lead to incorrect readings.
- Time pressure: High patient volume can cause radiologists to rush interpretations.
- Failure to follow up: Even when something looks abnormal, some radiologists fail to flag it.
- Lack of communication: Critical findings may not be relayed to the treating physician.
These aren’t just procedural issues—they’re life-threatening failures. At Ankin Law, we investigate every angle to determine what went wrong and who’s responsible. Then we hold the negligent parties accountable.
Types of Injuries Caused by Radiology Malpractice
The damage caused by radiology errors can be immediate, or it may unfold over several months or years. Some of the most common outcomes of radiology malpractice include:
Failing to detect tumors early can drastically reduce survival rates.
Missed internal bleeding:
Can lead to improper treatment or no treatment at all, resulting in life-threatening situations.
Stroke misdiagnosis:
Time is critical when treating strokes. A delay can mean permanent brain damage or death.
Surgical errors:
Mistakes during pre-op imaging can cause surgeons to operate on the wrong body part or perform the wrong procedure.
Wrongful death:
In the worst cases, radiology malpractice leads to preventable death.
Our Chicago radiology malpractice lawyers work with top medical experts to build a clear, evidence-backed case that proves how radiology negligence caused—or worsened—your condition.
How Do You Prove Radiology Malpractice in Chicago?
To prove radiology malpractice in Illinois, your attorney must demonstrate:
The radiologist owed you a professional duty as part of your medical treatment.
The radiologist acted negligently or failed to meet accepted standards.
The error caused or contributed to your injury.
You suffered harm as a result, such as worsened illness, additional treatment, lost income, or emotional distress.
Our Chicago radiology malpractice lawyers work with independent medical experts who review the imaging records and testify to what a competent radiologist should have done. We build strong cases backed by evidence to hold negligent providers accountable.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Radiology Malpractice Case?
Multiple parties may be held liable for radiology malpractice, including:
- The radiologist who misread the scan
- The supervising physician who failed to act on imaging results
- The hospital or clinic that failed to maintain imaging equipment or staffing levels
- The diagnostic center that conducted or interpreted the imaging study
Illinois allows you to name all parties who may share in the blame. We help you identify every source of liability to maximize your compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Radiology Malpractice Lawsuit in Illinois?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for most medical malpractice cases is 2 years from the date you discovered—or should have reasonably discovered—the injury. However, the law also imposes a 4-year maximum cap from the date the malpractice occurred, even if you didn’t know about it right away.
There are exceptions, such as when the victim is a child or when fraud is involved, but waiting too long can permanently bar you from seeking justice.
If a radiology error harmed you or a loved one, contact Ankin Law immediately. Our attorneys can review your case and preserve your rights before the clock runs out. Call 312-600-0000.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Radiology Malpractice Lawsuit?
If your lawsuit is successful, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability or disfigurement
- Loss of chance of survival (in cancer cases)
- Wrongful death damages (if applicable)
We’ll fight to make sure you’re not left paying the price for someone else’s mistake. At Ankin Law, our clients don’t settle for less—and neither do we.
Why Hire a Chicago Radiology Malpractice Lawyer at Ankin Law?
Medical malpractice lawsuits require deep legal knowledge and extensive medical evidence. At Ankin Law, our attorneys have decades of experience handling radiology malpractice cases. We know how to:
- Obtain and analyze imaging reports, radiology logs, and treatment records
- Identify deviations from the standard of care
- Work with board-certified radiology and oncology experts
- Negotiate aggressively with hospitals and insurers
- Take your case to trial if necessary
We’ve gone toe-to-toe with some of Illinois’s biggest medical institutions and won. Let us do the same for you. Call 312-600-0000.
FAQ: Radiology Malpractice in Chicago
What is the most common radiology error?
The most common error in radiology malpractice cases is failure to diagnose—particularly missed cancers or fractures. Breast and lung cancer are frequently involved in delayed or missed diagnoses.
Can I sue if my cancer diagnosis was delayed due to a radiology error?
Yes. A delayed cancer diagnosis that worsens your prognosis may give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit. You’ll need to show the delay was caused by a radiologist’s error and that it negatively impacted your health.
How much is a radiology malpractice case worth?
Settlements and verdicts vary widely. Factors include the severity of harm, extent of treatment required, and impact on your life and livelihood. Ankin Law fights for full compensation in every case.
Do I need expert testimony to prove radiology malpractice?
Yes. Illinois law requires that medical malpractice cases be supported by expert opinions. We work with highly qualified medical experts who can testify to how the radiologist’s actions deviated from accepted standards.
Contact Our Radiology Malpractice Lawyers in Chicago
If you or a loved one suffered significant harm due to a radiologist’s mistake, don’t wait. Call 312-600-0000 or contact Ankin Law online for a FREE consultation.