Children can be victims of medical negligence just like adults. In fact, an unborn baby can be the victim of medical malpractice while still in the womb. An example is that the mom’s obstetrician-gynecologist failing to pick up on or diagnose certain birth defects. During childbirth a newborn baby is susceptible to a birth injury such as Cerebral Palsy, shoulder dystocia or other birth injury such as Erb’s Palsy or Klumke’s Palsy. Once born a child can be seen hundreds of times before they become adults due illness, accidents resulting in trips to the emergency room and serious health conditions such as cancer. Any medical or health issue a child endures can be scarring emotionally as well as physically. If negligence on the part the healthcare provider becomes part of the equation the trauma can be significantly more severe. Even though some medical malpractice occurrences are completely accidental, the doctor, hospital or other liable party is still responsible for the damage done to your child and your family. If you feel that your child rec’d a subpar level of care in Delaware, Maryland or Washington DC please contact our pediatric medical malpractice attorneys for a free case evaluation. They are licensed to practice law in all 3 areas. They charge no fees if they are unable to obtain benefits and financial compensation for you and your family.
Types Of Pediatric Medical Negligence
The same types of medical negligence an adult is susceptible to kids are also vulnerable to. The main difference is the actual illness, surgical procedure, etc. that was involved. Forms of juvenile medical malpractice can be:
- Anesthesia errors and surgical errors
- Appendicitis
- Birth injuries
- Brain injuries
- Defective medical equipment
- Failure to treat
- Infections such as meningitis
- Medication errors including medication injuries and teratogen exposure
- Negligence during recovery
- Nursing errors
- Labor and delivery as well as NICU malpractice
Child Cancer Misdiagnosis
The types of cancers that occur most often in children are different from those seen in adults. As with all cancers there is always a chance of a diagnostic error if the provider is negligent and let’s something slip through the cracks.The most common cancers of children are:
- Leukemia (blood cancer)
- Brain cancer and spinal cord tumors
- Neuroblastoma
- Wilms tumor
- Lymphoma (including both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin)
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Retinoblastoma
- Bone cancer (including osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma)
- Testicular cancer due to Zantac
Other types of cancers are rare in children, but they do happen sometimes. In very rare cases, children may even develop cancers that are much more common in adults.
Contact Our Delaware Pediatric Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Please click here to contact our child medical negligence attorneys serving injured children in DE, MD & Washington DC. They offer free case evals and charge no fees if they do not recover compensation for you.
Serving the Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Lewes, Georgetown, Elkton, Annapolis, Baltimore, Rockville, Waldorf, Bowie, College Park and Ocean City areas.