Pediatrician Malpractice
Like any doctor, a pediatrician specializing in children’s needs may make mistakes. Pediatricians may also provide care that falls below the standard of care, resulting in injuries. When this happens, seeking compensation from the pediatrician for malpractice may be the best option to help your child recover from injury and have the best possible future.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), about one in every three pediatricians faces a medical malpractice claim at some point during their career. While not all of these claims result in compensation for the injured child or family, the rate of these claims demonstrates that medical malpractice can occur in a pediatrician’s office just as in other types of medical settings.
Common types of pediatrician malpractice claims include:
Misdiagnosis of Severe Infections
Two types of severe infection, meningitis and appendicitis, make up the majority of medical malpractice claims against pediatricians, usually when one of the two is misdiagnosed in a child. When the wrong diagnosis is given, the child may be severely injured by the unchecked spread of the infection. Injury may also occur from improper treatment given for a different condition that the child does not have.
Medication Errors
Medication errors are a common form of medical error, and they do occur in pediatric settings. Giving the wrong type of medication, the wrong dose, or a medication to which the child is allergic can all cause serious harm.
Failure to Test or Misreading of Test Results
Many childhood symptoms can be caused by a wide array of conditions. Failing to test for certain conditions or misreading the test results can both result in a child being improperly diagnosed or treated, which can end in serious injury or illness.
If your child has been injured and you suspect medical negligence is to blame, don’t hesitate to consult with an experienced Pittsburgh pediatric malpractice lawyer who can help you understand your rights and your child’s rights and choose the path toward the most promising future for your child. Contact Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC today.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.