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Parents are often overprotective of their children, so when a child’s doctor provides substandard care, his or her parents may automatically assume it is medical malpractice. However, pediatric malpractice is much more complicated than that.
Below, our Maryland medical malpractice lawyers explain pediatric malpractice lawsuits in Maryland, how it occurs, when substandard care rises to the level of malpractice and the steps parents can take if they suspect malpractice.
If your child was injured by pediatric malpractice, contact our experienced law firm for a free legal consultation. Our firm has decades of experience and has secured millions for those injured by medical malpractice in Maryland.
There are no upfront fees, and your initial consultation is free. You only pay if we win your case.
Call 410-297-0271 to discuss your legal options today.
Pediatric malpractice occurs when a doctor or medical professional, such as a pediatrician, fails to meet accepted standards of care when providing treatment. If this substandard treatment injured your child, you may be able to file a lawsuit to seek compensation.
The important thing to remember is that pediatric malpractice is more than mistakes. Your lawyer must prove your child’s pediatrician failed to perform as a similarly trained medical professional would have in similar circumstances.
Pediatric malpractice is typically limited to patients ranging in age from less than one month to 17 years of age.
There are many different types of pediatric malpractice. For instance, your child’s pediatrician may fail to diagnose an illness, such as:
Other examples of pediatric malpractice include:
If your child has been a victim of these or any other forms of medical malpractice, contact our law firm to review your legal options.
In pediatric malpractice cases, the injuries sustained by young patients can vary widely, but commonly include:
Some of the other injuries that could result from pediatric malpractice include:
There are numerous reasons why pediatric medical malpractice occurs:
Medical professionals are trained to identify and react to the signs and symptoms of various conditions. Overlooking these symptoms can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. This oversight can be particularly harmful in pediatric care, where children may not be able to describe their discomfort or pain.
When a healthcare provider fails to order appropriate tests based on a child’s symptoms, critical conditions may go undiagnosed, leading to injuries or worsening health.
Ignoring or misinterpreting test results can lead to inaccurate assessments of a child patient’s condition. This misinterpretation can result in providing the wrong treatment or missing an early opportunity to intervene.
If there is any communication breakdown, information critical to your child’s care may not be shared, which can lead to inconsistent or harmful treatment.
Pediatric care requires specialized knowledge and skills because a child’s body is different from that of an adult. This causes their body to respond differently to treatment and medications. Medical professionals who do not stay up to date with their training may be more likely to commit medication errors or recommend incorrect treatment.
There are many other reasons why pediatric malpractice occurs. Our attorneys have the resources to investigate what happened to find out why it happened. We have access to the relevant medical experts to help us build a strong case.
Parents play a crucial role in preventing pediatric malpractice. Staying vigilant and informed is key to protecting your child from serious harm. To prevent and detect pediatric malpractice, parents should:
In Maryland, you can generally file a lawsuit within three years of the child’s 18th birthday. However, it is best to take legal action sooner rather than later, as evidence can get lost over time. You want to give your lawyer the best chance to build a strong case and pursue full compensation for your child’s injuries.
If your child has suffered injuries due to pediatric medical malpractice in Maryland, contact The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl. We have more than 30 years of experience representing injured victims, securing billions in compensation on their behalf.
Contact us for your no-obligation consultation today at 410-297-0271.
Maryland
Local phone 410-244-7005
36 South Charles Street, Suite 1700
Baltimore, MD 21201
Virginia
Local phone 410-244-7005
355 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704