Pediatric Malpractice
September 26, 2018
When a child is sick or injured, parents will do what needs to be done to protect their child and obtain the medical care that they need. Unless it is a medical emergency, most parents turn to their child’s pediatrician to provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend the best course of treatment. However, if a child is harmed, or the condition is made worse by the negligence of the pediatrician, the parents may pursue legal action against the doctor. A skilled medical malpractice lawyer can protect the child’s rights and recommend the best legal course of action.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), close to one third of all pediatricians are sued at some point during their medical careers. In addition, because children are the victims of pediatric mistakes, and the resulting injuries and illnesses can be devastating, these types of lawsuits tend to be more expensive to defend, compared to other medical specialists.
Examples of Common Pediatric Malpractice Claims
- Meningitis: According to the AAP, the most pediatric malpractice cases involve the misdiagnosis or late diagnosis of meningitis. If a pediatrician misreads the child’s symptoms, or fails to diagnose the illness early enough, the child’s health can quickly deteriorate. If the illness advances, the harm may be irreversible.
- Appendicitis: The AAP reports that 27 percent of appendicitis cases in infants are misdiagnosed. This affects female patients because it is often misdiagnosed as a urinary tract infection or symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease. If appendicitis is not diagnosed and treated quickly, it can progress into a much more serious condition.
- Medication Errors: Over five percent of malpractice cases are associated with medication errors. Physicians are responsible for 69 percent of medication errors when they occur. Examples include:
– Ordering
– Administration
– Transcription
– Dispensing
Like other medical malpractice lawsuits, in a pediatric malpractice lawsuit, the victim must be able to prove that there was negligence on the part of the pediatrician, and that the negligence caused harm to the patient. To prove negligence, the patient must show that the pediatrician did not meet the standard of care. This often involves securing expert testimony from witnesses who are willing to offer their opinion about what another skilled pediatrician would do in a similar situation. Witnesses can also provide an account of the physician’s conduct, and how it failed to meet the standard of care.
To reach a successful settlement, the patient must prove that the pediatrician’s negligence caused harm, including pain and suffering, and the expense of medical treatment associated with the condition.
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Protect Victims of Pediatrician Errors
If your child has been injured or harmed while under the care of a pediatrician, you are urged to contact the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. We understand how devastating it is to see your child suffer and we will work tirelessly to determine whether your pediatrician was negligent in any way. Our dedicated and compassionate team will protect your rights and secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent medical malpractice victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
