According to a study conducted by researchers at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, physicians that often order diagnostic tests are more likely to be sued for medical malpractice.

The study, which will be published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, saw that patients sue diagnosticians due to a break down in communication. Issues like patients and physicians not receiving test results, long turnaround times for test results, and delayed reports of findings are a major cause of medical malpractice lawsuits.

Researchers found that between 1996 and 2003, malpractice payments based on diagnosis rose nearly 40%. From 1991 to 2010, payments rose from $21.7 million to $91 million.

If you or someone you love has suffered from an unreasonable delay in diagnosis, contact the New Jersey delayed diagnosis lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. by calling 800-346-5529.