When a patient undergoes diagnostic imaging, such as an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan, the radiologist’s interpretation plays a crucial role in determining the next steps in care. Accurate imaging alone is not enough, however. In other words, if a radiologist fails to provide appropriate follow-up recommendations, critical findings may be overlooked or inadequately addressed, resulting in significant delays in diagnosis and treatment. Such oversights can result in the progression of serious medical conditions that could have been treated more effectively if identified and managed earlier. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to Inadequate follow-up recommendations in radiology, you may be able to recover damages in a medical malpractice case, and you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our experienced Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys understand the consequences of communication failures within the healthcare system, and if you engage our services, we will zealously pursue the justice you deserve. We have successfully handled complex radiology malpractice cases throughout Syracuse, Rochester, and Upstate New York, and we are committed to holding negligent providers accountable.
The Dangers of Inadequate Follow-Up Recommendations in RadiologyRadiologists are responsible not only for identifying abnormalities in imaging studies but also for conveying the clinical significance of those findings and recommending further evaluation when necessary. Inadequate follow-up recommendations in radiology occur when a radiologist fails to suggest appropriate diagnostic steps, such as additional imaging, laboratory testing, or specialist consultation, despite detecting an abnormality that warrants further investigation. This failure may result from misjudging the seriousness of a lesion, failing to recognize an emerging pathology, or assuming that the ordering physician will independently pursue the appropriate steps. In other cases, the radiologist’s report may note an abnormality but use vague or equivocal language that leads to confusion or inaction by the referring physician.
The result of such oversights can be devastating. A small lung nodule that is not flagged for follow-up may evolve into advanced lung cancer. An incidental mass on abdominal imaging may remain untreated until it causes organ dysfunction or metastasis. A patient with early signs of a stroke or aneurysm may not receive life-saving intervention in time. In many of these cases, the harm could have been avoided if the radiologist had clearly recommended appropriate follow-up. These failures often involve a breakdown in the chain of communication between radiologists, treating physicians, and patients.
Claims Arising Out of Radiology MalpracticeUnder New York law, such inadequate follow-up recommendations in radiology may give rise to liability for medical malpractice, especially when they lead to a preventable worsening of the patient’s condition.
In New York, a plaintiff typically must establish the elements of negligence to succeed in a medical malpractice case: duty, breach, causation, and damages. Duty refers to the legal obligation a provider owes to the patient to act in accordance with the accepted standards of medical care. For example, a radiologist has a duty to accurately interpret imaging studies and, when necessary, provide follow-up recommendations that reflect current medical knowledge and professional guidelines.
A breach occurs when the defendant’s conduct falls below the expected standard of care. This may involve failing to recommend additional testing for a suspicious mass, omitting critical follow-up language from a report, or failing to ensure timely communication of urgent findings. It is not enough, however, to prove that a mistake occurred. The plaintiff must also demonstrate causation by showing that the defendant’s breach directly led to a delay in diagnosis or treatment that caused harm. For example, if a defendant failed to recommend follow-up imaging on a suspicious lesion, and the lesion later developed into an advanced cancer that could have been treated earlier, causation may be established.
Proving these elements typically requires expert testimony. Expert witnesses may testify regarding the applicable standard of care, the nature of the breach, and how the delayed follow-up led to specific injuries.
A plaintiff who adequately shows a defendant’s fault may be awarded compensation for their economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages can include past and future medical expenses, lost wages or reduced earning capacity, and out-of-pocket costs. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, typically encompass compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
Contact a Dedicated Medical Malpractice Lawyer Serving Syracuse, Rochester, and Upstate New YorkRadiology errors are not always dramatic, but their consequences can be life-altering. When a radiologist fails to provide adequate follow-up recommendations, patients may miss their window for effective treatment, suffer from worsened outcomes, or even face terminal illnesses that could have been avoided. If you or a loved one has been harmed due to a delayed diagnosis resulting from inadequate follow-up recommendations in radiology, you may be entitled to pursue compensation through a medical malpractice claim, and you should talk to an attorney. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our knowledgeable Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys have ample experience handling radiology malpractice cases, and if we represent you, we will advocate aggressively on your behalf. We have an office in Syracuse, and we serve clients throughout Syracuse, Rochester, and the broader Upstate New York region. To arrange a free and confidential consultation, call us at 833-200-2000 or contact us online.