Radiology negligence compensation claims

If you’ve received negligent treatment from a radiologist that resulted in avoidable harm, you could be eligible to make a radiology negligence claim.

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Radiology Negligence Claims

Radiology is an invaluable medical tool for diagnosing health conditions, diseases and injuries. However, medical professionals can make mistakes when diagnosing or treating a health condition, which can lead to avoidable harm and a subsequent radiology negligence claim.

If you have suffered complications or an injury because of a radiology procedure, our team of medical negligence solicitors are here to help you. We can help you make a no win no fee claim and secure compensation for your pain, suffering, and related financial losses.

For a free assessment of your case, please call 0800 470 0474 or use our online claim form to request a call back. A friendly legal adviser will answer all your questions and talk you through your options with no obligation to proceed.

Key points about radiology negligence claims

Can I make a claim?
If a radiology error, such as a missed scan or a delayed report caused you harm, you may be eligible to claim.
Who is responsible?
The NHS or a private healthcare service may be liable if they failed to interpret or report correctly.
What is the time limit?
You normally have 3 years to start your claim from when you became aware of the error.
How much compensation can I claim?
Amounts depend on the type of harm caused, the impact on your life, and any related costs, such as lost income.
Will I get a no win, no fee service?
Yes, your solicitor will act on a no win, no fee basis, so you won’t pay a penny unless they win your case.

If you would like to speak to a legal adviser about making a claim, call free on 0800 470 0474 or click here to request a call back.

Find out if you can claim

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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

Table of Contents

What is radiology?

Radiology is a medical speciality that uses imaging technology to diagnose, monitor and sometimes treat medical conditions. Common types of radiology include:

X-rays. X-rays are the most common and widely used type of medical imaging. They are commonly used to detect fractures, dislocations, dental infections, and lung issues. They are generally considered safe in small doses.
CT scans. Computed Tomography uses multiple X-ray images to create a detailed 3D image of a specific body part. It is commonly used to diagnose head injuries, stroke, internal bleeding, tumours or organ damage. It involves higher risks than a simple X-ray.
MRI scans. Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of soft tissues, organs and bones. It can be used to examine the brain, spinal cord and nerves and diagnose tumours, muscle and joint injuries and has no risk of radiation.
Ultrasound. An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of organs and structures inside the body. It is commonly used to monitor pregnancy and examine abdominal organs and poses no health risks.
PET scans. These scans can show how organs and tissues are functioning rather than just their structure. They involve injecting a small amount of radioactive tracer into a vein, which can be used to detect cancer and evaluate brain and heart function.
Interventional radiology. This involves using an imaging technique such as ultrasound to guide minimally invasive procedures such as biopsies and the placement of catheters.

Am I eligible to make a radiology negligence claim?

Radiologists owe patients a legal duty of care. This means they must meet a reasonable standard of care and provide accurate, timely, and safe imaging services.

Radiology negligence occurs when a radiologist or radiology department fails to uphold the accepted standard of care, resulting in avoidable harm to the patient.

If you find yourself in this situation, a specialist personal injury lawyer can help determine if you have a valid claim for compensation by checking whether:

A healthcare professional owed you a legal duty of care.
They breached this duty and offered you a substandard medical service.
As a result, you suffered an avoidable injury, or your condition worsened.
The negligence happened or was discovered within the past three years.

If these criteria apply to your case, you will be able to proceed with a claim for radiology negligence. You can read more about the claims process in the section below.

How do I make a claim for compensation?

If you want to start a claim for radiology negligence compensation, you should first get in touch with a specialist solicitor. They will assess your case and explain your options clearly.

If you can proceed, your lawyer will help you gather evidence to support your claim, such as:

Your medical records, including all your imaging studies, radiology reports and doctor’s notes
An independent review from a radiologist or another medical specialist regarding the standard of care you received and its impact on your health
Your own detailed statement regarding your symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and how the negligence has affected your life
Evidence of harm or a worsening condition caused by negligent medical care, such as photos, videos, or further scans
Evidence of related financial losses and expenses

Once your medical negligence lawyer has gathered all the necessary evidence, they will send a letter of claim to the defendant, outlining the details of your case and the compensation you seek.

If the other party admits negligence, you can begin to negotiate a settlement. If they deny it, your solicitor will issue court proceedings and will be prepared to argue your case before a judge, if necessary.

What are the most common mistakes made by radiologists?

While radiologists typically uphold a reasonable standard of care, negligence can sometimes occur, most commonly in the form of:

Diagnostic errors

Missed diagnosis, such as overlooking a cancerous mass on an MRI or CT scan
Misinterpreting test results, leading to an incorrect diagnosis
Using the wrong type of imaging for a particular injury or condition
Incorrect positioning of the patient, which can distort the results

Delays in care

Delays in reporting results with potentially severe health consequences
Poor communication between medical staff leading to a delayed diagnosis or a lack of follow-up
Failure to recommend further imaging when initial scans are inconclusive

Administrative or technical errors

Poor image quality due to faulty equipment or improper technique
Reporting the wrong patient’s scan
Performing a scan on the wrong patient or the wrong body part
Failing to check for allergies to contrast agents or administering too much contrast media
Failing to refer the patient back to the correct referring clinician

Errors during interventional procedures

Accidental puncture of an organ
Injury to nerves
Damage to blood vessels
Incorrect placement of devices such as catheters

If you suffered unnecessary and avoidable harm due to any of these or other mistakes, our team of expert solicitors could help you make a radiology negligence claim.

What could be the consequences of negligence in radiology?

The types of radiology errors mentioned above can lead to a wide range of consequences for patients. These range from minor inconveniences to life-altering disabilities and even death. The most common injuries and health conditions include:

Delayed or unnecessary treatment
The progression of a disease, such as cancer
The worsening of a condition, such as an infection turning into sepsis
Increased or avoidable pain and suffering
Adverse reactions to unnecessary medication or contrast agents
Loss of opportunity for early intervention and reduced life expectancy
The need for more invasive or prolonged treatment
Organ perforation
Nerve damage
Emotional and psychological effects, such as anxiety, depression or PTSD
Impact on daily life and social activities
Loss of trust in the medical system
Financial burden due to lost income, additional treatments and long-term care

The more severe the consequences you suffered due to the negligence, the higher the compensation award you may receive.

Is it okay to claim compensation from the NHS?

Yes. It is entirely legal and ethically acceptable to make a claim against the NHS if you have suffered harm due to negligent medical care by a radiologist.

Making a compensation claim is not about punishing the NHS. It is about helping you recover, covering any financial losses, and acknowledging the pain and suffering you’ve experienced.

All medical negligence cases against the NHS are handled by NHS Resolution, an independent body within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). It is funded through a combination of government support and annual premiums paid by NHS Trusts.

If you make a successful claim, the money will not come directly from your local hospital’s budget and will not affect the funds available for patient care and treatment.

Furthermore, your claim could help address essential issues to prevent similar mistakes from happening to others in the future.

Yes. Even if you signed a consent form, you could still make a successful medical negligence claim. This type of document is usually in place to confirm that:

You agreed to undergo the interventional procedure or investigation
You were informed of the general risks associated with it

However, a consent form does not give medical professionals a free pass to act carelessly or negligently. If you suffered unnecessary or avoidable harm due to substandard care or treatment, you could pursue a claim even if you signed a waiver.

If you want to claim compensation, your solicitor will carefully review the terms of the consent form and will be able to let you know if you can take legal action.

Can I make a medical negligence claim on behalf of a loved one?

If your child or a loved one who lacks mental capacity suffered harm because of substandard medical care, you could make a radiology claim on their behalf.

To be able to represent them, you must first be named as their litigation friend by the court. An experienced solicitor can help you fill out and file all the necessary documents. These include a certificate of suitability proving that:

There are no conflicts of interest between you and the claimant
You can make fair, competent decisions about the claim

As a litigation friend, you will need to act in your loved one’s best interests, liaise with solicitors and pay any fees requested by the court. If you agree to accept a settlement from the defendant, a judge must approve this during a court hearing.

How much compensation could my radiology negligence claim be worth?

The radiology negligence compensation you could receive will be calculated based on how the malpractice has affected your life. Your claim will be made up of two types of damages:

General damages cover the subjective impact of the radiological mistake on your life. These could include physical pain, mental distress, loss of amenity and loss of companionship.
Special damages cover financial losses and out-of-pocket expenses related to the negligence. Examples include loss of earnings due to time off work, private treatments, home adaptations and care costs.

You can use our personal injury compensation calculator to estimate how much your claim could be worth according to the guidelines from the Judicial College.

Time limits to start a clinical negligence claim

Generally, you have three years from the date of negligence to make a radiology compensation claim. If you do not start your claim within three years, your case will be time-barred under the Limitation Act 1980.

There are some exceptions to the standard time limit, such as:

The three-year time limit may begin on the date of knowledge, which is when your injury was diagnosed and linked to some form of negligence.
You can make a child injury claim at any time before their 18th birthday, no matter when the negligence occurred. After turning 18, the injured person will have until 21 to start a claim on their own.
If the injured party cannot handle a claim due to an injury, illness or disability, a litigation friend could represent them anytime, as the limitation period is suspended.
If a loved one passed away due to a negligent radiology practice, you have three years from their death to start a claim.

It is recommended that you seek legal advice as soon as possible, no matter your circumstances. That will help your solicitor build a strong case and will generally make the claims process slightly easier.

Will I need to go to court?

Most personal injury claims (more than 96%), including clinical negligence cases, are settled without a trial. This benefits both parties, as it involves fewer costs, is less stressful, can save a lot of time, and gives them complete control over the outcome.

Nonetheless, court proceedings can sometimes be necessary, and you may need to go to trial if:

The defendant disputes liability and denies that negligence occurred
There is a serious disagreement over the value of the claim
You cannot reach a settlement through negotiations
Your case involves complex legal issues or multiple parties
The defendant or their insurer is slow to respond or unresponsive
You want to apply for interim payments

You have nothing to worry about if going to court is necessary. Your solicitor will prepare everything on your behalf and will fully support and guide you through the process.

Can I make a No Win No Fee radiology negligence claim?

If you suffered harm as a result of negligent radiology and are entitled to claim compensation, our team of solicitors will represent you on a no win no fee basis. That means there will be no upfront fees to pay, and you won’t lose a single penny if your claim fails.

Under this arrangement, your solicitor is only entitled to a success fee if they manage to win your medical negligence case. This fee will be deducted from your compensation award and is capped at 25% of it.

The no win no fee service allows you to hire legal representation regardless of your financial situation and without any risks.

You can also have peace of mind knowing that your solicitor will be fully committed to securing the maximum compensation for you, as their fee depends on the outcome of your case.

Start your claim today!

If you want to seek compensation for injuries suffered as a result of negligent radiology, do not hesitate to contact us for a free case assessment. If you have grounds to make a claim, you will be paired with an expert solicitor, who will:

Offer you a conditional fee agreement
Help you gather evidence to support your claim
Offer you legal advice and support at every step
Arrange for an independent medical review
Handle all communication on your behalf
Negotiate to secure the highest compensation amount possible

To find out if you have a valid medical malpractice claim, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back to speak to a legal adviser.

Last edited on 8th Aug 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.

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