If you went in for a diagnostic procedure and feel you didn’t receive proper care, you may be confused, frustrated, and left wondering what went wrong. You aren’t alone. Imaging mistakes by radiologists and other healthcare professionals can lead to delayed diagnoses, worsening conditions, and prolonged recovery. Understanding the steps to file a medical malpractice lawsuit for a misread MRI, X-ray, or CT scan can help you know your rights and make informed decisions moving forward.

Can You Sue for a Misread MRI, X-Ray, or CT Scan?

The short answer is yes. When imaging results are misread, the consequences can be serious. You may have a valid medical malpractice claim if a misread MRI, X-ray, or CT scan leads to preventable harm.

Liability depends on whether the radiologist or treating provider failed to meet professional standards, such as neglecting to compare new results with prior studies, overlooking a clear abnormality, using the wrong imaging protocol, or not communicating urgent findings. Each of these errors may indicate negligence in the diagnostic process.

If that negligence results in delayed treatment, misdiagnosis, or further injury, you may have grounds to pursue a radiology malpractice claim. An experienced attorney can review your records and determine whether the provider’s actions fell below the accepted standard of care.

How to Prove Radiology Malpractice

A strong radiology malpractice case links a specific imaging error to a specific injury, supported by expert medical review and detailed documentation. The following elements outline what is required to prove a radiology malpractice claim.

Establish Duty

Show that a provider–patient relationship existed. This relationship creates a legal duty for the radiologist or treating clinician to provide care consistent with accepted medical standards.

Show Breach

Identify what went wrong in the imaging process. Common examples include scanning the wrong area, overlooking a visible lesion, mislabeling findings, or failing to compare new images with prior studies.

Prove Causation

Demonstrate that the imaging error led directly to harm or worsened the patient’s condition. For example, a missed fracture may later require surgery, a misread MRI may delay cancer detection, or a CT scan mistake may postpone critical treatment.

Document Damages

Show the full impact of the mistake, including additional medical expenses, repeated imaging, surgeries, lost income, and emotional distress. Keep all related bills, reports, and correspondence, as this documentation may become important evidence.

Your Legal Rights & Next Steps After a Misread Scan

If you suspect your MRI, X-ray, or CT scan was misread, you have several options to help you find answers and protect your ability to take further action.

Access Your Medical Records

You can request your imaging files, radiology reports, and related physician notes. Reviewing them with an independent expert can help determine whether the report accurately reflects the images.

Request a Second Opinion

You can ask another radiologist or subspecialist to review your scan. A second opinion, sometimes called an over-read, can confirm or rule out a reading error.

Track Key Details

Keep a written timeline of your symptoms, appointments, and what you were told at each step. This record helps connect the imaging error to its real-world impact.

Avoid Early Agreements

Do not sign releases or settlement offers before consulting an attorney. Early agreements can limit your ability to recover full compensation later.

Pursue Accountability

If negligence caused harm, you have the right to seek compensation and hold the responsible provider accountable. Hospitals and radiology practices are expected to maintain quality standards for imaging and communication.

Understand the Timeline

In Indiana, most medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years of the alleged malpractice.

Montross Miller: Clear Answers When Imaging Errors Change Lives

You deserve clarity and trusted guidance when a misread MRI, X-ray, or CT scan derails your health, worsens conditions, or prevents recovery. Every case represents a real person whose life was disrupted by a preventable error. We take the time to understand your medical history, your recovery challenges, and how the mistake affected your daily life, ensuring your story is told with accuracy and respect.

For more than 45 years, Montross Miller has helped Indiana patients uncover the truth behind radiology errors and pursue justice with dignity and care. Our legal and medical teams work together to review your images, identify where the process failed, and link those findings to your injury and losses.

If you believe your scan was misread, contact us for a confidential, no-obligation case review. We’ll listen to your story, review your records, and explain your options—so you can make informed choices for your health, your family, and your future.