Radiology Errors Attorney in Kansas City

Support & Trusted Guidance for Radiology Error Cases in Kansas City

When radiology goes wrong, the consequences can be life changing. A missed tumor on an MRI, a stroke misread on a CT scan, or an X-ray that is never communicated to the treating team can delay treatment and worsen outcomes. If you or a loved one suffered harm because of a radiology error in Kansas City, you may have a claim under Missouri law to seek compensation for medical costs, lost income, and the pain you did not deserve.

Bertram & Graf, L.L.C. represents patients and families in radiology malpractice and medical negligence cases throughout Kansas City and the surrounding Missouri communities. We know how to untangle complex imaging records, hold the right parties accountable, and build clear, persuasive cases that show how a radiology mistake caused real harm.

Call (888) 398-2277 or request your free case review. Speak with our Kansas City radiology errors attorney about your options today.

Understanding Radiology Error Claims in Kansas City

Radiology plays a central role in diagnosing injuries and disease. When imaging is misinterpreted or results are not properly communicated, the ripple effects can be devastating. A radiology error claim is a type of medical malpractice case that alleges a breach of the standard of care by a radiologist, imaging technologist, or healthcare provider involved in ordering, interpreting, or relaying imaging studies.

Successful claims show three things: there was a duty to provide care consistent with accepted medical practices, that duty was breached, and the breach caused injury and losses. Our team investigates each of these elements with precision so your case is grounded in strong facts and aligned with Missouri law.

Common Types of Radiology Errors

• Missed findings: Lesions, fractures, pulmonary emboli, or bleeds that were present but overlooked on X-ray, CT, MRI, or ultrasound.
• Misinterpretation: Findings are seen but interpreted incorrectly, such as labeling a malignant mass as benign or calling a fracture a sprain.
• Communication failures: Critical results are not promptly communicated to the ordering provider or the patient, leading to dangerous delays.
• Wrong test or protocol: Ordering the wrong study, using an incorrect imaging protocol, or failing to use contrast when indicated.
• Patient identification and laterality errors: Scanning the wrong patient or recording the wrong body side, resulting in improper treatment decisions.
• Workflow and handoff lapses: Overloaded reads, inadequate double checks, or poor handoffs between on-call and daytime staff.

How Radiology Malpractice Happens

Radiology is a system, not a single moment. Errors can occur at multiple points in the imaging chain.

• Ordering stage: A provider may order an imaging test that is not suited for the clinical question, or may omit key clinical details that would guide the radiologist’s interpretation.
• Acquisition stage: Technologists must position patients correctly and follow protocols. Poor positioning, motion artifacts, or incorrect settings reduce image quality and make subtle findings harder to see.
• Interpretation stage: Radiologists balance speed with accuracy. High volume, fatigue, or anchoring bias can lead to misses. Inadequate comparison with prior studies also contributes to mistakes.
• Reporting and communication stage: Even when a report is accurate, delays or unclear wording can keep critical information from reaching the medical team in time. Critical results typically require direct and documented communication.
• Follow-up stage: When a report recommends additional imaging or specialty referral, failure to ensure follow-up can allow a condition to worsen.

Our Kansas City radiology errors team maps each step to identify where standards slipped and who is responsible for the resulting harm.

Proving Medical Negligence Under Missouri Law

Every case must tie the specific error to avoidable harm. Our approach focuses on:

• Standards of care: Establishing what competent professionals would have done under similar circumstances, including appropriate imaging protocols and reporting timelines.
• Causation analysis: Showing how the misread or delay changed the clinical course, such as disease progression, need for more invasive treatment, or permanent impairment.
• Damages: Documenting the full scope of losses, including additional medical procedures, lost wages or earning capacity, and human losses like pain, disability, or loss of normal life.
• Missouri law has strict deadlines and procedural requirements for medical malpractice. While timelines can vary based on the facts, acting promptly protects your rights and preserves vital evidence. We guide clients through each step so filings are timely and compliant.

Evidence That Can Strengthen Your Claim

• Complete imaging sets: Not just the reports, but the actual DICOM image files from X-ray, CT, MRI, or ultrasound for independent review.
• Prior studies and comparisons: Earlier imaging to show what should have been seen or how a condition progressed because of a delay.
• Medical records and timelines: ER notes, clinic visits, ordered tests, referrals, and discharge instructions to trace communication and follow-up.
• Policies and procedures: Hospital or imaging center protocols on critical result reporting, double reads, and after-hours coverage.
• Witness and provider statements: Notes or testimony from clinicians who relied on the imaging report, explaining how different information would have changed care.

Who May Be Liable In a Radiology Error Case

• Radiologists: For misses, misinterpretations, or failure to promptly communicate critical findings.
• Imaging centers and hospitals: For inadequate staffing, unsafe workloads, poor quality controls, or broken communication systems.
• Ordering providers or clinics: For choosing the wrong test, omitting key clinical history, or failing to act on recommendations.
• Technologists: For protocol errors, poor image acquisition, or patient mix-ups.
• Liability often involves multiple parties. We evaluate the roles of each provider and entity to ensure all accountable parties are included.

Damages Available In Radiology Malpractice

• Economic losses: Additional treatment costs, rehabilitation, assistive devices, medication, and lost income.
• Non-economic losses: Pain, suffering, mental anguish, scarring, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Future harms: Diminished earning capacity and anticipated future medical care, when supported by credible evidence.

In severe cases involving long-term disability or wrongful death, compensation may include substantial future care plans. Our goal is to present a clear, Missouri-specific picture of how the radiology error changed your life and what full compensation should cover.

What To Do If You Suspect A Radiology Error

• Get your imaging and reports: Request copies of all images and reports from the hospital or imaging center. Ask for the actual image files, not only PDFs.
• Seek appropriate follow-up care: If your symptoms are worsening or new issues emerge, obtain prompt medical evaluation from qualified providers.
• Document your experience: Keep a timeline of appointments, phone calls, and symptoms. Save bills, insurance statements, and work records.
• Avoid posting details online: Public comments can be taken out of context. Keep your case private and discuss concerns directly with your attorney.
• Talk to a Kansas City radiology errors lawyer: Early legal guidance helps preserve evidence and meet deadlines under Missouri law.

Our Process At Bertram & Graf, L.L.C.

• Free evaluation: We listen to your story, review initial records, and outline next steps.
• Targeted record gathering: We secure imaging files, prior studies, policies, and full medical charts.
• Independent review: We work with qualified professionals to assess whether standards of care were breached and how that caused harm.
• Case strategy and filing: We prepare your claim, identify responsible parties, and pursue financial recovery through negotiation or litigation.
• Ongoing support: We keep you informed and ready for key decisions while you focus on your health.

Local Perspective: Kansas City Care Settings and Imaging

Kansas City residents receive imaging in diverse settings, from hospital radiology departments to outpatient MRI and CT centers. Workflows, staffing, and communication systems can differ widely between facilities. Many errors arise not simply from one person’s oversight, but from system design issues like excessive reading loads, inadequate after-hours communication, or poor coordination between emergency departments, primary care, and specialists. Our familiarity with local practices helps us ask the right questions, request the right records, and build a case that reflects how radiology is actually delivered in our community.

How We Build Value Into Radiology Error Claims

• Detailed timeline reconstruction: We analyze when symptoms began, when imaging occurred, what was reported, and when results were communicated.
• Clinical impact modeling: We explain how timely recognition would have changed treatment, from earlier surgery to different medications or monitoring.
• Clear damages documentation: We collaborate with treating providers and vocational specialists to quantify economic and human losses.
• Negotiation and litigation readiness: From the first demand letter to trial preparation, we position your case to demonstrate liability and damages convincingly.

Why Choose Bertram & Graf, L.L.C. For Your Case

• Focused medical negligence practice: Our firm is dedicated to helping patients harmed by medical negligence, including complex radiology malpractice matters.
• Kansas City presence: We serve clients throughout Kansas City and nearby Missouri communities and understand the local healthcare landscape.
• Client-centered approach: You will receive responsive communication, pragmatic guidance, and a plan tailored to your needs.
• Resources to pursue tough cases: Radiology error claims demand careful analysis and strong evidence. We have the resources and commitment to move your case forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies as a radiology error?

A radiology error can include missed or misinterpreted findings, delayed or unclear reporting, communication failures about critical results, or using the wrong imaging protocol. The key question is whether the care fell below accepted standards and caused harm.

How do I know if a misread scan caused my injury?

We compare your images and reports with your clinical history and outcome. If timely recognition would likely have led to earlier or different treatment and better results, that supports causation in a radiology malpractice claim.

Do I have a case if my doctor ordered the wrong imaging test?

Possibly. Ordering clinicians share responsibility for choosing the correct study and providing relevant history. If the wrong test was ordered or critical details were omitted, and this led to a missed diagnosis or delay, liability may include the ordering provider.

What compensation is available in radiology error claims?

Compensation may include medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and non-economic losses like pain and suffering. In serious cases, future care needs and long-term impacts are part of the claim.

Will I need to go to court?

Many cases resolve through settlement, but some require litigation to achieve fair compensation. From the outset, we prepare your claim as though it may go to trial so you are ready for either path.

How long will my case take?

Timelines vary with the complexity of the medical issues, the number of parties involved, and the court’s schedule. We keep you informed and work to move your case forward efficiently while protecting your interests.

What should I bring to the first consultation?

Bring imaging CDs or digital access codes, radiology reports, medical records, a list of providers, and a timeline of events. Any bills, insurance letters, and work documentation are also helpful.

Take the Next Step for Your Kansas City Radiology Case

Delays can jeopardize your rights under Missouri law and make evidence harder to obtain. If you suspect a radiology error harmed you, connect with a Kansas City attorney who understands imaging, communication breakdowns, and how to prove medical negligence.

Call (888) 398-2277 or send a message through our contact form to schedule a free, confidential consultation.