Mammography Interpretation Negligence

Every year, women trust mammograms to catch breast cancer early and give them peace of mind. If you or a loved one was told your mammogram looked normal – only to later discover that cancer was missed – the shock and anger can be overwhelming. A missed breast cancer diagnosis shatters your confidence in your doctors and delays the treatment you urgently need. In addition to the emotional turmoil, the medical consequences of a misread mammogram can be life-changing.

Unfortunately, mammography interpretation negligence – when a radiologist fails to properly identify cancer on a breast X-ray – is not as rare as it should be. Diagnostic errors like missed cancer signs are a leading cause of medical malpractice claims, accounting for roughly one-third of all cases. Breast cancer is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions, and these mistakes often have devastating outcomes. Patients who have diligently undergone screening may find out months or years later that their cancer was allowed to progress unchecked due to an avoidable oversight.

If you are facing this situation, it’s important to understand what qualifies as negligence in a mammogram reading, what kinds of errors can happen, and how Georgia’s legal system handles these cases. Knowing your rights – including how to prove radiology malpractice and what compensation you might recover – can empower you to take the next step toward accountability and healing.

What Is Mammography Interpretation Negligence?

Mammography interpretation negligence refers to a radiologist’s failure to interpret a mammogram with the level of care and skill that a reasonably competent specialist would use. In simpler terms, it means the radiologist missed or misread signs of breast cancer on the imaging when they should have caught them. This type of mistake is a form of medical malpractice – specifically, a subset of radiology malpractice and cancer misdiagnosis. When a breast tumor is visible on an X-ray but the radiologist reports the mammogram as “normal,” the result is a delayed breast cancer diagnosis that could have been avoided.

In breast cancer cases, radiologists are frequently at the center of malpractice claims when something is missed. Studies have found that interpreting radiologists are among the most commonly named defendants in breast cancer misdiagnosis lawsuits. Negligence can take the form of outright misreading of the mammogram or even a breakdown in communication. For example, the radiologist might correctly identify an abnormal mass but fail to ensure the results are communicated to the patient or treating doctor – resulting in no follow-up. In fact, if a delay in treatment is caused by a communication breakdown (such as the radiologist not conveying urgent findings), it can provide the basis for a malpractice lawsuit. Whether the error is an inaccurate interpretation or a failure to relay critical findings, the outcome is the same: a dangerous delay in diagnosing breast cancer.

Common Mammogram Interpretation Errors

Mistakes in reading a mammogram can occur for a variety of reasons. However, some patterns of error show up again and again in malpractice cases. Common mammogram diagnostic errors include:

• Missed breast cancer signs (false negative): The radiologist fails to detect a suspicious mass, cluster of microcalcifications, or other abnormality on the mammogram that a competent eye should have caught. In these cases, the cancer is present on the image but is overlooked – a serious error that leads to no further testing or treatment. For example, a visible tumor might not even be mentioned in the radiologist’s report, giving the patient false reassurance while the cancer continues to grow.
• Misinterpreting a lesion as benign: In some instances, the radiologist sees an abnormal spot but wrongly concludes it is benign or normal. They might label a cancerous lesion as a harmless cyst or dense tissue. This incorrect mammogram reading delays proper diagnosis because no urgency is communicated. (Conversely, radiologists can also err on the side of caution – identifying something as suspicious when it’s not cancer – but those false alarms, while stressful and potentially leading to unnecessary biopsies, are less likely to cause lasting harm than a miss.)
• Failure to compare with prior images: A radiologist should review past mammograms to spot any changes over time. Negligence can occur if the provider only looks at the current study in isolation. Without comparison, subtle developments (like a small mass growing over the course of a year) might be missed. A lesion that appears “stable” or insignificant in one snapshot may reveal itself as clearly suspect when viewed alongside last year’s mammogram – but if no one compares them, that warning sign is lost.
• Poor image quality or incomplete testing: Sometimes a mammogram isn’t performed correctly – images may be blurry, taken from insufficient angles, or obscured by dense breast tissue. A diligent radiologist should recognize when a study is suboptimal and order a repeat test or additional imaging. If they instead give an “all clear” despite a technically poor mammogram, important details can be missed. Failing to ensure a clear, thorough image of all breast tissue is an error that can amount to negligence.
• No follow-up recommendations for an abnormal finding: Standard care for breast imaging requires that any potentially abnormal result be followed up. This could mean suggesting a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, or biopsy. If a mammogram shows a possible tumor but the radiologist does not recommend the appropriate next steps, the diagnosis will be delayed. This lapse in judgment – essentially stopping the diagnostic process too soon – can allow cancer to go undetected until it’s much more advanced.
• Communication breakdown: In other cases, the radiologist may properly identify an abnormal screening result but fails to communicate that urgency. If the radiology report is not promptly sent to the treating physician, or if critical findings are lost in transmission, the patient might never be told that further tests or treatment are needed. This scenario is tragically common – a patient assumes everything is fine, never realizing the radiologist saw something concerning. By the time the error comes to light, precious time has been lost.

Delayed Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Impact on Patients

The harm caused by a misread mammogram is often irreversible. When breast cancer isn’t caught early, it is allowed to advance to more dangerous stages. Treatment that could have been relatively mild becomes much more aggressive. A tumor that might have been removed with a simple lumpectomy when small may, after months of unchecked growth, require a mastectomy (breast removal) or spread to lymph nodes. Patients who could have avoided chemotherapy might now need full chemo and radiation regimens because the cancer is more advanced. In short, the delay caused by negligence often forces patients to endure harsher treatments and face a lower chance of survival.

Time is truly of the essence with breast cancer. Survival rates plummet when diagnosis is delayed. If breast cancer is caught at an early localized stage (Stage I), the prognosis is excellent – the five-year survival rate is close to 100%. But when diagnosis only occurs at Stage III or IV after the cancer has spread, survival odds drop dramatically. In fact, the five-year survival rate for Stage IV (metastatic) breast cancer is only around 28%. This means a delayed diagnosis can literally be the difference between life and death for some patients.

Beyond the physical consequences, patients and their families suffer emotionally as well. Learning that a cancer diagnosis could have been made months or years sooner is traumatic. Patients often experience anger, anxiety, and loss of trust in doctors. Family members may struggle with guilt or grief, knowing a loved one’s battle with advanced cancer – or even a preventable death – might have been avoided if only the mammogram had been read correctly. This emotional fallout is a key part of why malpractice cases are pursued: not just to recover costs, but to seek answers and accountability for an unnecessary trauma.

Proving a Mammogram Misdiagnosis Case in Georgia

From a legal perspective, a mammography error becomes malpractice only if you can prove the radiologist failed to meet the “standard of care” and that this failure caused you harm. Establishing this requires expert support. In Georgia, any medical malpractice case must be backed by a qualified medical expert’s testimony. In fact, state law even requires an expert affidavit at the time of filing the lawsuit, to certify that the claims have merit. Typically, another radiologist will review the mammogram images and medical records to determine what the defendant should have done differently. If a competent radiologist would have recognized the cancer on the films (or taken appropriate action like ordering more tests), then not doing so is a clear violation of the standard of care.

It is equally critical to prove “causation” – in other words, that the radiologist’s mistake led to worse results for the patient. In a mammogram lawsuit, you must demonstrate that if the cancer had been identified when it should have, the patient would have had a significantly better prognosis or easier treatment. Often this involves showing how far the cancer progressed during the delay. For example, an expert might testify that the tumor was small and contained at the time of the misread mammogram, and with prompt treatment the cancer likely would not have spread. By the time it was finally diagnosed, it may have grown into a later stage that required more drastic intervention or reduced the chances of survival. This “but for” connection – that the outcome would have been better if not for the radiologist’s error – is required to hold the provider liable.

What does proving negligence look like in practice? Your attorney will work with medical experts to analyze exactly what went wrong. Often, a second radiologist reviewing the same films can pinpoint the lesion that was missed – frequently, the cancer was plainly visible but was overlooked or mistaken for something benign. The expert will explain how the defendant’s reading fell below the accepted standard. Radiologists are expected to follow established interpretation protocols, carefully examining all areas of the images and noting any abnormalities. They should also correlate with prior studies and advise follow-up tests if anything is uncertain. If the original doctor failed to do these things, it strengthens the case that negligence occurred. With a qualified expert’s testimony, jurors (or insurance companies in settlement talks) can clearly see that the missed diagnosis was not just an honest mistake but a breach of professional duty.

Compensation for Victims of Mammography Negligence

If a mammography interpretation error is proven to be negligent, the patient (or the patient’s family, in wrongful death cases) may be entitled to various forms of compensation. Every case is unique, and results will depend on the specific facts, but potential damages in a delayed diagnosis case often include:

• Additional medical bills: The cost of surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, reconstructive procedures, medications, and any other treatment made necessary by the delayed diagnosis. You can also claim future medical expenses if the cancer progression means you’ll need ongoing care.
• Lost wages and earning capacity: Income you lost due to extended illness, aggressive treatments, or disability caused by the cancer’s progression. If the delay in diagnosis forced you to stop working or reduced your ability to earn in the future, those losses can be quantified.
• Pain and suffering: This covers the physical pain and emotional distress endured as a result of the worsened condition. A late-stage cancer battle typically involves significantly more pain, anxiety, and hardship than an early-stage treatment, and compensation can reflect that difference. Mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and the trauma of the experience are accounted for here.
• Wrongful death damages (if applicable): If a patient tragically passes away due to a missed diagnosis, the surviving family can pursue damages for their loss. Georgia wrongful death claims may include the value of the deceased’s life (lost income and benefits, companionship, etc.) as well as funeral and medical expenses.

Because every case is different, compensation can range widely. There is no “average” payout for a mammogram malpractice claim – it depends on factors like the severity of harm, the clarity of the negligence, and even intangible factors such as the patient’s age and family situation. An experienced attorney can give you a realistic sense of the potential value of your case after reviewing the details. The goal of seeking damages is not to guarantee any specific outcome, but to make sure you have financial support for the losses you’ve suffered and to hold the negligent parties accountable.

Our firm’s own case results demonstrate the impact these cases can have. Davis Adams has secured major recoveries for Georgia patients harmed by diagnostic errors – including a $750,000 settlement for a cancer misdiagnosis case and one of Georgia’s largest radiology malpractice settlements, $9.75 million, in a case involving a misread scan. While every outcome varies, these results show that accountability and meaningful compensation are possible.

Georgia’s Statute of Limitations – Why Timely Action Matters

Georgia law places strict time limits on filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. In general, you have two years from the date the injury or harm occurred to bring a claim. In a delayed cancer diagnosis scenario, this “injury” is often considered to occur when the cancer is finally discovered or when it progresses due to the delay. However, Georgia also has a five-year statute of repose that absolutely bars any malpractice lawsuit filed more than five years after the negligent act or omission. In other words, no matter when you find out about the misread mammogram, if more than five years have passed since the radiologist’s error, you likely cannot pursue a claim. (There are a few narrow exceptions – for example, intentional concealment by a provider or special rules for cases involving minor children – but those situations are uncommon.)

These time limits make it critical not to delay. If you suspect your mammogram was misread, it’s wise to consult an attorney as soon as possible. Missing the deadline – even by a few days – can mean your case is barred forever. Moreover, acting promptly helps your lawyer preserve evidence. Mammogram images and medical records need to be obtained and safeguarded; if you wait, there is a risk that records could be lost or overwritten, and witnesses’ memories may fade. By getting a legal evaluation early, you protect your ability to seek justice. An attorney can ensure your case is filed within the deadlines and start building the evidence before any more time is lost.

Contact Us for a Free Case Review

You have been through enough. Dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis is hard enough without wondering if it could have been caught sooner. At Davis Adams, LLC, we understand the anger and pain that come with discovering a mammogram was misread. Our focus is on helping Georgia patients like you find answers and hold negligent medical providers accountable – all while showing you the compassion and support you deserve.

When you’re ready, please contact us for a free, no-obligation case review. You can speak with an experienced Atlanta medical malpractice attorney on our team who will listen to your story and explain your legal options in plain English. There is no upfront cost to you – we take cases on a contingency fee, which means we only get paid if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. Bringing a claim can feel daunting, but we handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on your health. Let us put our experience to work for you and fight for the justice you and your family deserve.