Dealing with medical errors and X-ray results

Many Florida patients have had a number of X-rays over the course of their lives. The revolutionary technology, which was developed at the end of the 19th century, has been critical to understanding the inside of the human body and viewing problems. Most X-ray devices currently in use work in similar ways; rays are beamed through the object being inspected onto a rigid detector that can absorb the rays and produce the internal image of the object or person.

Modern X-rays use digital detectors, unlike the earliest X-rays that used photographic film. These digital devices convert the rays into electrical charges, passing them to a computer in order to produce a digital image. When digital imaging replaced photographic film, X-ray technology advanced significantly. Images became far more detailed and doctors were able to view the human body much more clearly while using the same technology. X-rays also have non-medical applications; they are used to examine the inside of suitcases and packages for security purposes.

However, because X-ray detectors are generally flat and rigid, they do not mimic the curves of the human body. The difference between the shape of the detector and the shape of the body can lead to missed information. Doctor errors may occur when a physician relies on an X-ray image. As a result, a physician may make a misdiagnosis of cancer or provide an incorrect amount of radiation therapy. These kinds of mistakes can cause serious, long-lasting harm to affected patients.

While mistakes may be a fact of life, medical errors can lead to seriously worsened health conditions. People who have been hurt as a result of a misdiagnosis or other physician error can work with a medical malpractice attorney. A lawyer can advise patients about the potential to seek compensation for the damages they have suffered.