Can I Sue for Medical Malpractice for My Child?
A parent must care for and protect their child. However, what happens when a child is injured or dies due to the negligence of a doctor? We trust doctors to know what is in the best interest of our health, so it can be a difficult time when a child is endangered from a trust we put in a practitioner or hospital. When negligence is involved, it is possible to sue a medical professional for malpractice to collect compensation for pain and suffering.
What is Medical Malpractice?
Doctors agree to administer a certain standard of care across the board, but when those standards are not met, it is the patient that suffers. It is understood that doctors may not get a diagnosis or care right the first time, but it is when omission or negligence is involved that a patient may have a case for medical malpractice.
Medical malpractice can affect child can before they are even born. Not performing necessary tests or taking special care for high-risk pregnancies is dangerous for a child and their mother. When being born, a doctor can cause defects due to not acting appropriately to circumstances or using tools incorrectly. If a baby is under stress during natural birth, it is the responsibility of the doctor to know when to perform an emergency C-Section. Being left in the womb may restrict the child’s oxygen which can lead to brain damage. Not treating a birth injury right away is also negligent and can cause life long injuries or defects.
Later in life, the most common medical malpractice lawsuit has to do with misdiagnosis. A misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary and expensive treatment when the actual problem with the patient is not being addressed. By this time, it may be too late for a fast and effective treatment once an illness has advanced. It may be difficult to communicate with a younger child about their symptoms, but the lack of communication usually falls on the relationship between the parent or guardian and the doctor.
When a child is a victim of medical malpractice, it will be their caretaker that sues on their behalf. A severe injury can lead to pain and suffering for the rest of the child’s life and may require assistance into adulthood. If the child dies, the family suffers the pain and grief knowing their child’s death could have been prevented.
Contact an Aurora Medical Malpractice Attorney
The safety if a child is put into danger when doctors do not work with the proper standard of care. If you and your child’s life has been affected negatively by negligence, contact an experienced Kane County medical malpractice attorney today. Call our office at 630-907-0909 to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/misdiagnosis-top-claim-medical-malpractice-lawsuits-involving-children-study
