Radiology Errors Attorney in Queens County

Clear Answers After A Suspected Imaging Mistake

If you believe a radiology mistake changed your health or the health of someone you love, you are already facing more than enough. You may have learned that an X-ray, CT, MRI, or ultrasound was misread or reported late, and now you are living with the consequences. As a Queens medical malpractice attorney with more than 20 years of experience, I help patients and families understand what happened and whether negligent imaging care played a role.

My name is David Kates. I focus my practice on medical malpractice cases in New York, and I personally handle every case from the first phone call to final resolution. When someone comes to me after a suspected radiology error, my goal is to explain their options in plain language, answer questions, and take on the legal burden so they can focus on their health.

I offer free and confidential consultations for people in Queens County. Call (718) 866-3664. You can tell me your story, and I can begin to assess the options you may have to pursue a malpractice claim.

How Radiology Errors Harm Patients

Radiology touches nearly every area of modern medicine. Imaging tests help doctors diagnose fractures, cancers, strokes, blood clots, and internal bleeding. When a radiologist, imaging center, or hospital makes a preventable error, the result is often a delayed or missed diagnosis that allows a problem to worsen until it becomes far harder to treat.

Common radiology mistakes include missed findings on an image, misinterpreting what appears on a scan, failing to compare a new study with a prior one, and failing to promptly communicate urgent or unexpected results. In busy hospitals and imaging facilities in Queens, communication problems between radiologists and ordering doctors can also lead to important findings being overlooked.

These errors can have serious consequences. A tumor that should have been found on an early CT scan can grow and spread before anyone realizes it is there. A subtle fracture on an X-ray can be missed, leading to long-term joint damage or the need for more complex surgery. A small bleed on a head CT can be overlooked, and the patient can suffer a much more severe brain injury. Families in this borough often come to me when they learn that something on an earlier study should have been handled differently.

If you are wondering whether your situation fits within radiology malpractice, understand that patients usually cannot answer that question on their own. It typically takes a careful review of imaging, reports, and the medical chart to see whether accepted standards of radiology care were followed. As a radiology errors lawyer Queens County, I work to connect the medical facts to the legal standards so my clients can get honest answers.

How I Investigate Radiology Error Cases

When someone contacts my office about a possible radiology error, I start by listening. I want to understand what symptoms you or your loved one had, what imaging tests were ordered, what you were told at the time, and how your condition changed later. Your perspective provides context that the records alone often do not show.

After that first conversation, I typically obtain the relevant medical records and imaging from the Queens hospital, radiology group, or clinic involved. I review the radiology reports, the actual images when appropriate, and the notes from the doctors who ordered or received those studies. I pay particular attention to timing, what was seen or documented, and how quickly information was communicated to the treating team.

In many cases, it is necessary to consult with medical professionals who work with the same types of imaging and conditions. Their insight helps confirm whether the radiologist or facility met accepted standards of care or whether critical findings were missed or downplayed. With more than 20 years handling medical malpractice cases, I understand how to frame the right questions and interpret the answers in light of New York law.

When I conclude that negligent radiology care may have caused harm, I evaluate what the full impact has been. A radiology malpractice case can seek compensation for additional medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost income or earning capacity, the pain and suffering caused by a more advanced disease or injury, and, in tragic situations, wrongful death damages for surviving family members. Over the course of my career, I have recovered millions of dollars for patients and families harmed by substandard medical care, and I always tie the legal claim to the practical needs created by the injury.

Clients often ask what the first meeting looks like. In our free and confidential consultation, you can expect a calm, focused conversation. I will ask about the timeline of your care, what tests were done, and what you were told at each stage. I will explain how I would go about reviewing your case and what additional information might be helpful. You do not have to bring every record to the first call, and you do not need to know exactly what went wrong. My role is to help uncover that.

Radiology Malpractice & New York Law

Radiology error claims are a type of medical malpractice case under New York law. To pursue a malpractice lawsuit, it is generally necessary to show that a radiologist, imaging center, or related provider did not act in accordance with accepted medical standards, and that this failure caused or substantially contributed to your injury or the worsening of your condition.

In radiology cases, that might involve proof that a reasonably careful radiologist would have seen and reported an abnormality on the image, or that urgent findings should have been communicated more quickly. It can also involve showing that an imaging study should have been ordered in the first place, given the symptoms, and that the failure to order that test allowed a serious condition to go undiagnosed.

New York has statutes of limitation that limit the time you have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. The specific deadline can depend on several factors, including when the alleged error occurred, when the injury was discovered, and the type of healthcare provider involved. In cases involving imaging studies from facilities in Queens County, lawsuits are often brought in the New York Supreme Court that serves Queens, and I handle malpractice matters in that system as a native New Yorker who is familiar with how those courts operate.

Because timing rules can be complex, waiting too long to speak with a lawyer can put your rights at risk. If you suspect a radiology mistake, it is often safer to get a legal opinion early, even if you are not sure a claim exists. I can explain how New York timing rules might apply to your specific situation and discuss potential next steps.

What To Do If You Suspect An Error

Realizing that an imaging study might have been misread or reported late is unsettling. You may not know whether to question your doctor, call the hospital, or simply try to move on. Taking a few careful steps can help protect your health and preserve important information while you decide how to proceed.

Consider the following steps if you suspect a radiology error in Queens County:

• Request copies of your medical records and imaging from the Queens hospital, radiology center, or clinic where you were treated, including reports, CDs, and discharge summaries.
• Write down a timeline of your symptoms, when tests were ordered, what you were told about the results, and when you later learned of any new findings.
• Avoid arguing with the radiologist or hospital about negligence before speaking with an attorney, because statements made in frustration can be misunderstood or used out of context.
• Continue to follow reasonable medical advice for your current condition, since your health and safety come first.
• Contact my office for a free, confidential review so I can help you evaluate whether the care you received may amount to malpractice.

Even if you are unsure that a mistake occurred, you are entitled to clear information about your own medical care. Speaking with a radiology errors lawyer Queens County can be an important step in getting answers. When you call, I will listen to your concerns, review whatever information you have, and explain how I can help you investigate what went wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know If My Radiology Report Was Wrong

The only way to know is to compare the images, reports, and your clinical course to accepted medical standards. I review your records and imaging, and, when appropriate, consult with medical professionals to see whether a reasonably careful radiologist should have handled your study differently.

What Will It Cost To Have You Review My Case

There is no charge for an initial review. I offer free and confidential consultations so you can talk with me about what happened and learn whether a malpractice claim may be appropriate. During that conversation, I also explain my fee structure in straightforward terms.

Will You Personally Handle My Radiology Malpractice Case

Yes. When you hire my practice, you are hiring me. I personally manage each case from the first consultation through resolution. Clients often tell me they value knowing that the same attorney will be reviewing their records, explaining developments, and guiding them at every stage.

How Long Do I Have To File A Radiology Claim

New York has deadlines for filing medical malpractice lawsuits, and the exact time limit can depend on when the imaging was done, when the injury was discovered, and other factors. Because these rules are complex, I encourage you to contact me promptly to discuss how they may apply.

What Happens During The First Consultation With You

During the first consultation, I listen to your story and ask questions about your symptoms, tests, and treatment. I explain what records and imaging will be helpful and outline how I would investigate your case. The conversation is private, there is no obligation, and you can ask any questions you have.

Talk With A Queens Attorney About A Radiology Error

If you suspect a radiology mistake changed the course of your health or took a loved one from you, you do not have to try to sort it out alone. Speaking with an experienced Queens medical malpractice attorney can help you understand what happened and what your options may be.

When you contact my office, you speak with a lawyer who has spent more than 20 years handling complex medical malpractice cases, including claims involving radiology errors. I personally guide every case and work to secure fair compensation for the additional harm caused by negligent imaging care. Your consultation is free and confidential, and it can be an important first step toward clarity and accountability.

To discuss your situation with our radiology errors attorney in Queens County, call (718) 866-3664 today.