Legal Question in Medical Malpractice in West Virginia
Neglience in reading an MRI correctly
In 1998 I started to have headache and a soreness in my right parietal area, I had an MRI done which was read as normal. This pain went away for two years and then the headaches and soreness rerturned and I had another MRI, this time it was read as positive by a different radiologist but at the same hospital, who described it as a tumor? and said it had doubled in size since the MRI in 1998. The second radiologist didn't look at the first MRI but did read the typed report from 1998 saying it was negative. I underwent a craniotomy and this turned out to be a severe staph infection which I was put on IV antibiotics for three months. I went back to work and the bone flap that was put back in became infected and I had to have another craniotomy and the bone flap was removed and this was left open for six months and more IV antibiotics. Then I had a cranioplasty and this is being watched closely now for any signs of infection. I have had three surgeries in thirteen months which I don't think I would have had to have if the first MRI had been read properly. I would like to know what you think about this and if I have a case against this first radiologist who missed my (Tumor)infection in 1998.
Thank you ,
G.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Neglience in reading an MRI correctly
G: If the second radiologist didn't read the first MRI, he could not have stated that it had doubled in size. If the first radiologist, misread the MRI, I think that you definitely have a case worth reviewing.