What is Pediatric Care?

Pediatric care refers to the medical care and specialized healthcare services provided to infants, children, and adolescents. It focuses on promoting the health, well-being, and development of young patients, as well as diagnosing, treating, and managing illnesses and medical conditions specific to this age group.

Pediatric care involves a multidisciplinary approach, involving healthcare providers who specialize in pediatrics. These professionals are trained to understand the unique needs, growth patterns, and developmental stages of children, as well as the specific medical conditions and diseases that can affect them.

In the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides guidelines for pediatric care and defines the age ranges as follows:

• Neonates: Birth to 28 days old
• Infants: 1 month to 12 months old
• Toddlers: 1 year to 3 years old
• Preschoolers: 3 years to 6 years old
• School-age children: 6 years to 12 years old
• Adolescents and Teenagers : 12 years to 18 years old

What is Pediatric Malpractice?

Pediatric malpractice refers to any negligent or wrongful actions by a healthcare provider that result in harm or injury to a child. While every case is unique, there are several common examples of pediatric malpractice.

Common examples of pediatric malpractice cases include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis: If a healthcare provider fails to diagnose or delays the diagnosis of a serious condition in a child, it can lead to delayed treatment, worsening of the condition, or even death. For example, misdiagnosing appendicitis as a stomach virus can delay surgery and result in a ruptured appendix.
• Medication errors: Pediatric medication errors can occur when the wrong medication is prescribed, the wrong dosage is administered, or the medication is given via an incorrect route. Children are particularly vulnerable to medication errors due to their unique physiology and the need for weight-based dosing.
• Surgical errors: Surgeons and surgical teams must exercise extreme care when operating on children. Errors such as wrong-site surgery, anesthesia mistakes, damage to organs or nerves, or leaving surgical instruments inside the body can have severe consequences for the child's health and well-being.
• Birth injuries: During childbirth, mistakes can occur that lead to birth injuries, such as cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, or other neurological conditions. These injuries can result from improper use of medical instruments, failure to perform a timely cesarean section, or failure to monitor the fetus and respond to distress signals.
• Failure to obtain informed consent: Healthcare providers must inform parents or legal guardians about the risks, benefits, and alternatives to any proposed medical treatment or procedure. Failure to obtain proper informed consent or not providing sufficient information can be considered medical negligence.
• Inadequate supervision or monitoring: Pediatric patients require appropriate supervision and monitoring, especially in intensive care units, emergency rooms, or during post-operative care. Failure to provide adequate supervision or monitoring can lead to serious complications or injuries.
• Negligent advice or counseling: Pediatricians and other healthcare providers are responsible for providing accurate and timely advice or counseling to parents or caregivers. Negligent advice, such as incorrect instructions for administering medication or improper guidance on managing a child's illness, can lead to harm.
• Laboratory and diagnostic errors: Mistakes in laboratory testing or misinterpretation of diagnostic results can have significant consequences for children. False-positive or false-negative test results can lead to unnecessary treatments or delays in essential interventions.

Why Choose Brown & Barron, LLC?

If your child has suffered harm due to pediatric malpractice, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Compensation can help cover medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, ongoing care, pain and suffering, and other damages. Our attorneys will fight tirelessly to ensure your family receives the full and fair compensation you deserve.

When you choose our firm to handle your pediatric malpractice case, you can expect:

• Experienced attorneys with a deep understanding of pediatric malpractice law
• Compassionate and personalized attention to your case
• Thorough investigation and gathering of relevant evidence
• Collaboration with medical experts to strengthen your case
• Aggressive advocacy to pursue the compensation your child deserves

If your child has been a victim of pediatric malpractice, don't hesitate to contact Brown & Barron, LLC today at (410) 698-1717 for a free consultation.