Children are especially vulnerable to medical mistakes and negligence. So, when a medical professional, such as a pediatrician, acts carelessly and, as a result, harms your child, you can pursue legal action against them for the suffering they have caused.
If your child has suffered due to medical negligence in Kansas, the medical malpractice lawyers at Goza & Honnold are here to help hold them accountable for their actions. Medical negligence may cause substantial losses for you and your child, including costly medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering. We will tirelessly fight to recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
Three Most Common Types of Pediatric Malpractice Claims in Kansas
Pediatric malpractice claims are a common form of malpractice seen in the medical industry. In 2015, over 20% of pediatricians experienced a claim or lawsuit due to medical negligence and wrongdoing.
The following are common types of pediatric malpractice claims brought against pediatricians for medical harm or injury to a child:
Meningitis
Meningitis is commonly seen in pediatric malpractice claims due to the difficulty in diagnosing this condition in a pediatric setting. A lawsuit involving this condition may result when an infant or child develops early symptoms of meningitis but a pediatrician misreads the symptoms and fails to diagnose in a timely manner. This may result in a child’s decline in health as the meningitis advances, and before the pediatrician has an opportunity to correct his error, the harm may be irreversible.
Appendicitis
Especially in infants, around 27% of this condition is misdiagnosed. If appendicitis is not diagnosed and treated quickly, appendicitis worsens and becomes a more serious condition. This typically affects female children more, as their conditions are misdiagnosed as urinary tract infections or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Medication Errors
Medication error malpractice cases account for over 5% of all pediatric malpractice cases. Pediatricians are responsible for over 69% of medication errors when they happen. This can happen in ordering medication, which accounts for 56% of errors, or administering the wrong drug, dose, timing, or technique.
How to Prove Medical Negligence in a Pediatric Malpractice Claim in Kansas
If you believe a pediatrician’s medical negligence harmed your child, you can pursue legal action against the medical professional responsible. For a successful pediatric malpractice claim, you must obtain evidence of negligence.
The elements of a successful medical negligence claim against a pediatrician include:
- A reasonable duty of care was owed to your child: Pediatricians owe children a duty of care by providing standard treatment set by the medical industry.
- They violated a standard duty of care with an act of negligence or failure to act: The pediatrician provided substandard treatment and medical care, resulting in a breach of duty of care.
- Their breach directly caused your child’s injury or fatality: By acting negligently or carelessly, the pediatrician directly caused your child’s injuries or fatality. In order to have a successful medical negligence claim, you must prove that the injury could have been avoided with different actions
- You suffered damages due to their violation of a duty of care: You and your child suffered substantial economic and noneconomic damages due to the medical professional’s negligence
With the assistance of seasoned Kansas pediatric negligence lawyers, they [who is “they” here?] can help secure persuasive evidence to prove the elements of negligence needed for a successful claim. Evidence may include documents or resources, such as medical records, witness testimony, paystubs, correspondence, and other items that establish your right to fair compensation.
Pediatric negligence claims can be complicated and demand the professional guidance and resources of the pediatric malpractice lawyers at Goza & Honnold, who can help establish that a different pediatrician would have acted differently in a similar situation, avoiding the suffering you have experienced due to substandard care.
Speak With Experienced Pediatric Malpractice Lawyers at Goza & Honnold
If your child has suffered due to inadequate, substandard care and negligence in Kansas, speak to the experienced pediatric malpractice lawyers at Goza & Honnold for a detailed assessment of your claim and knowledgeable legal guidance on how to best proceed forward. We will strive to build a successful claim on your behalf by conducting a comprehensive investigation into your claim, obtaining valuable evidence on your behalf, and aggressively advocating for the maximum compensation you deserve.
At Goza & Honnold, LLC, we have decades of experience fighting for victims affected by pediatric malpractice in Kansas and have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on the behalf of clients. Schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our skilled pediatric malpractice lawyers by calling our office at (913) 451-3433 or by filling out a contact form.