Errors in diagnosis are, by far, the most common generic cause of malpractice suits against radiologists. In this category, breast cancer was the most frequently missed diagnosis, followed by nonvertebral fractures and spinal fractures. Failure to communicate and failure to recommend additional testing are both uncommon reasons for initiating a suit.
The likelihood of a radiologist being the defendant in at least one suit is 50% by age 60, yet the difference in frequency and average number of suits accrued varies widely by state of residence and sex. Among resolved suits, the percentage of cases in which payment was made to the plaintiff differs markedly by state, as do median and mean award amount. Men are more likely than women to be sued during the course of their careers.
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