Parents want to do everything they can to protect their children and keep them safe and healthy. If a child becomes ill, parents take them to a doctor to help them feel better. Unfortunately, some doctors who treat children make mistakes that result in devastating outcomes.
If you believe a doctor or other healthcare worker made a mistake that hurt your child, your family might have grounds to pursue justice in a personal injury lawsuit with the help of a skilled medical malpractice attorney. A Charlottesville pediatric malpractice lawyer from MichieHamlett could guide you through the legal process and help you hold the responsible parties accountable.
While any type of medical mistake can lead to life-altering complications, pediatric malpractice is often even harder for patients and families to deal with. When medical negligence involves a child, there can be unique considerations. The error can have a long-term impact on the child’s life and future.
While an adult might heal from a medical error with little to no complications, the effect of the mistake on a child might be different and long-lasting. An adult can explain where they hurt. If a child is young, they might not be able to advocate for themselves or even explain what is wrong. When an adult suffers harm from malpractice, their damages are also easier to calculate. If an adult needs to take time off from work while they heal, a court could look at their salary and calculate their lost wages. With an injured child, it can be harder to calculate the full toll of a medical mistake. For example, the child’s injury could affect their future educational needs, and they might need specialized schooling.
To ensure you get the full financial support your injured child needs, it is critical to consult with an experienced Charlottesville attorney who has a proven record of success with pediatric malpractice cases. Our lawyers know how to study medical reports and work with medical and lifestyle experts in order to get your family fair compensation.
Legal claims involving pediatric malpractice may involve different types of mistakes.
Many pediatric malpractice suits involve diagnostic mistakes. Trained pediatricians should know how to recognize and treat common illnesses and medical conditions. If a child exhibits symptoms that their doctor does not recognize, the doctor should refer the child to a specialist who knows how to diagnose and treat them. Missed, wrong, and delayed diagnoses can cause a child to suffer needless pain and potentially develop life-threatening medical complications.
When doctors prescribe medication to children, they need to be aware that a child’s body often responds differently to drugs than an adult would. Doctors need to prescribe the correct medication and dosage to prevent overdoses. Hospitals and staff administering vaccines and other medications should watch children for adverse reactions and be aware of their full medical histories. Medication mistakes can lead to life-threatening complications.
Mistakes made during a child’s birth can also lead to lawsuits. Birth injuries, such as Erb’s palsy or cerebral palsy, can affect a child’s mobility and future development.
Our skilled Charlottesville legal team could examine the medical mistake that led to your child’s injuries and advocate on their behalf.
Watching your child suffer from a preventable medical mistake can be agonizing. Fortunately, a knowledgeable Charlottesville pediatric malpractice lawyer from MichieHamlett could help your family get justice. Contact our law office today to discover if your family could be eligible to pursue financial compensation after your child suffered harm from a medical error.
