Pediatric Medical Malpractice: Standing Up for Injured Children
The people of Orange County need strong legal advocates who put their needs first. That's why injury victims can trust our legal team. We fight for our clients every step of the way, holding negligent parties accountable in various kinds of injury cases.
Working with a medical malpractice attorney on your lawsuit can be particularly helpful given the legal teams that many doctors and hospitals have in place. When the medical mistake involves your child, the help of an attorney is crucial for holding pediatricians and negligent medical staff accountable.
Pediatricians and OB/GYNs Need to Exercise Additional Caution
Doctors have to exercise great caution when it comes to proper diagnosis and treatment of patients. They need to exercise additional caution when their patients are young. Babies, toddlers, and young children are vulnerable to so many health issues. A birth injury or a medical problem early in their development can potentially change the rest of their life.
When OB/GYNs and pediatricians make costly mistakes, they need to be held accountable by the parents of the young patient.
Health Problems Affecting Babies and Toddlers
In those early years after birth, babies and toddlers need to be carefully looked after. OB/GYNs should note any health issues as the child is developing in the womb. After being born, parents should note regular checkups and the vaccination schedule in order to address early health conditions and health needs in the first years of life.
Improper Treatment for Conditions Affecting Young Children
Even after a child is walking and talking, their doctors need to be attentive to the patient's needs at regular checkups and emergency visits. A seemingly routine fever may actually be the sign of a major infection. Similarly, developmental issues may arise during these formative years of childhood, allowing doctors to administer treatment sooner rather than later.
Incorrect Diagnosis
One of the major dangers of pediatrician error is misdiagnosis of a condition. A child may be diagnosed with a bacterial infection when they were in fact suffering from a viral infection. A case of strep throat or pink eye may be misdiagnosed as another issue in the hands of some particularly negligent pediatricians. When a mistake like this is made, it can literally mean the difference between life and death.
Delayed Diagnosis and Failure to Diagnose
On the note of life-and-death matters, it's also possible for pediatricians to miss proper diagnosis entirely. Delays in diagnosis could mean that proper treatment is too late, or that unnecessary medical treatments are implemented without any need. Missed diagnosis could mean that serious conditions like childhood leukemia are not caught and treated early. These are costly mistakes, and inexcusable when the obvious warning signs are there.
How Medical Malpractice Lawyers Can Help
If your child has experienced a serious medical problem because of a doctor's negligent actions, a lawyer can help file a medical malpractice lawsuit. This will hold the doctor or medical facility accountable for the mistakes that were made. Damages will be sought to address medical bills and future medical expenses, and also to punish those responsible for their costly mistakes.
Since medical malpractice lawsuits can be complicated and issues involving the well-being of your child can be emotionally exhausting, attorneys can offer peace of mind as they guide you through the legal process.
Learn More About Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
For more information about medical malpractice cases and your legal rights and options, be sure to contact our team of personal injury lawyers today. The attorneys at our practice will fight diligently for you and your legal rights ever step of the way.
