Orange County Radiology Errors Attorney

Fighting For Those Who Have Been Injured By Radiology Errors in California

When a radiology report overlooks a tumor, a fracture, or signs of a stroke, a treatable problem can become a life-changing diagnosis. If you believe a misread scan or a delayed imaging report harmed you or a family member in Orange County, you may be wondering what went wrong and what you can do now.

At Law Office of Marshall Silberberg, we represent patients and families in serious medical malpractice cases involving diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds. Our team is based in Irvine and regularly handles cases arising from care in hospitals and imaging centers throughout the county and Southern California.

Founding attorney Marshall Silberberg spent nearly 30 years defending hospitals and physicians before opening this firm in 2004. Our attorneys have tried more than 200 medical malpractice cases to verdict, part of over 250 trials overall, and we have recovered more than $500 million for injured clients. We bring that depth of experience to every radiology error case we agree to handle.

Call us today at (949) 565-4281 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our radiology errors lawyer in Orange County.

Understanding Radiology Errors

Radiologists play a critical role in modern medicine. They are responsible for interpreting imaging studies and communicating significant findings to treating physicians within an appropriate timeframe. When that process breaks down, patients lose precious time that could have been used for earlier diagnosis and treatment.

A radiology error can occur in many ways. A mass on a chest X-ray might be dismissed as an artifact. A small brain bleed on a CT scan may be missed. A fractured vertebra could be seen but not reported as unstable. In some situations, urgent or unexpected findings are correctly identified but never communicated in a way that leads to timely follow-up.

These lapses can have serious consequences. A missed tumor may grow into an advanced cancer that requires more extensive surgery or chemotherapy. An unrecognized bleed can lead to permanent neurological damage. An undiagnosed fracture might progress to spinal cord injury or chronic pain. Families may only learn of the earlier imaging when a later doctor compares studies and asks why action was not taken sooner.

Common Examples of Radiology Errors 

Patients rarely know there was a problem with their imaging until a later doctor raises questions or a different study reveals what was missed. Understanding common patterns in radiology errors can help you recognize whether your situation may involve negligence.

Some frequent categories of radiology mistakes include:

• Missed or misinterpreted tumors on X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs that later present as advanced cancer.
• Failure to identify internal bleeding or organ injury after trauma, which can lead to shock, surgery, or death.
• Overlooked fractures or spinal instability that progress to nerve damage or chronic pain.
• Missed signs of stroke, aneurysm, or other vascular events on brain or vascular imaging.
• Failure to communicate urgent or unexpected findings in a manner that leads to timely follow-up.

When a radiologist misses a tumor that should have been seen, the delay can change both treatment options and prognosis. A small lesion might have been managed with limited surgery. Months later, that same lesion may require aggressive treatment and carry a very different outlook. Similarly, a missed brain bleed can mean the difference between a brief hospital stay and permanent disability.

What To Do If You Suspect A Radiology Error

Discovering that an earlier scan may have been misread is unsettling. You may be dealing with new treatment decisions, financial pressures, and a sense of betrayal. Taking a few practical steps can help protect your health and your potential legal claim while you decide how to move forward.

Key steps patients and families can take include:

• Request copies of all imaging studies and radiology reports, along with relevant office notes and hospital records.
• Write down a timeline of your symptoms, appointments, tests, and conversations with providers.
• Continue necessary medical care and consider seeking an independent medical opinion when appropriate.
• Avoid signing broad releases or settlement documents from insurers without understanding their impact.
• Contact a qualified medical malpractice firm to review your records and discuss whether a radiology malpractice claim may be viable.

Our attorneys routinely help clients obtain and organize medical records, including digital imaging from hospitals and outpatient centers in Orange County. We review these materials with medical professionals to assess whether an error likely occurred and whether it caused the harm you are now facing. If we believe a claim is appropriate, we explain the legal options available and the steps involved in pursuing a case.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my radiology error is malpractice?

Whether a radiology mistake is malpractice depends on whether the care fell below accepted medical standards and caused harm. We typically review imaging, reports, and your medical history with qualified professionals, then provide a candid assessment of whether a legal claim is appropriate.

How long do radiology malpractice cases usually take?

Radiology malpractice cases often take many months or longer, depending on the complexity of the medicine, the need for expert review, and court scheduling in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange. We work to move cases forward while allowing time to fully understand your injuries and future needs.

Contact Our Radiology Errors Attorney in Orange County Today

If you believe a missed or misread scan in this area contributed to a serious injury or delayed diagnosis, you do not have to sort through the medical and legal issues alone. Our goal is to help you understand what happened, evaluate whether malpractice occurred, and, when appropriate, pursue financial recovery that reflects the full impact on your life.

At Law Office of Marshall Silberberg, we bring decades of courtroom experience, significant medical malpractice trial volume, and an insider’s understanding of hospital defense strategies to the cases we accept. We are based in Irvine, represent clients throughout Orange County and Southern California, and offer free, confidential consultations.

Contact us today to get started with our Orange County radiology errors lawyers.