Pediatric Errors in Baltimore: When a Doctor’s Mistake Puts Your Child at Risk
As a parent, you trust medical providers to give your child the best possible care. Unfortunately, mistakes in pediatric care happen more often than most parents realize and leave children alarmingly vulnerable.
Our Maryland medical malpractice lawyers have extensive experience helping parents in these cases. Find out how pediatric errors in Baltimore often occur, steps you can take to protect your child’s health, and your rights in holding those at fault accountable.
Common Pediatric Medical Errors in Baltimore Hospitals and Clinics
Pediatric medicine is complex. Children’s symptoms often present differently from adults’, and any mistakes or oversights can have serious consequences.
According to the National Institutes of Health, pediatric errors account for nearly 10 percent of all medical malpractice claims. They are unfortunately common in Baltimore’s busy hospitals, urgent care centers, and clinics, where parents often take their children when they are sick or hurt.
Common types of pediatric medical errors that can impact your child’s health, both now and in the future, include:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, such as mistaking infections, appendicitis, or meningitis for minor illnesses.
- Medication errors, including incorrect dosages or administering adult drugs to children.
- Failure to monitor vital signs properly, leading to preventable complications.
- Communication errors between staff, resulting in missed test results or delayed care.
According to the Maryland Department of Health, medication and diagnostic errors are among the most common preventable mistakes and are particularly devastating in cases involving children. Unfortunately, even when parents raise concerns, medical errors often go unnoticed until the child’s condition dramatically worsens.
How Baltimore Parents Can Protect Their Child
You are their strongest advocate when your child’s health is on the line. Taking a proactive role in their care can reduce the risk of medical mistakes and strengthen your legal position if something goes wrong. Parents can protect their children by:
- Asking questions about every diagnosis, test, or prescription.
- Keeping records of all medications, lab results, and doctor visits.
- Notifying providers immediately if symptoms change or side effects appear.
- Following all treatment recommendations carefully and documenting compliance.
- Seeking a second opinion, especially if something doesn’t feel right.
If your child suffers harm due to a provider’s negligence, you can hold them accountable. Filing a medical malpractice claim in Baltimore is never easy, but it can provide a sense of justice and the compensation you need to cover your child’s care and any long-term losses.
Speak With Our Experienced Maryland Medical Malpractice Lawyers
If your child is the victim of medical malpractice in Baltimore, you can hold at-fault providers accountable. Maryland Injury Lawyers provides the caring support and professional legal representation you need throughout the claims process.
We can investigate, gather evidence, and represent you in dealing with Baltimore healthcare providers and insurers involved. Get a sense of justice and the compensation your child needs to recover. To speak with our experienced Maryland medical malpractice lawyers, call or contact our office online today and request a consultation.
Sources:
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10393199/
health.maryland.gov/ohcq/docs/Maryland%20Hospital%20Patient%20Safety%20Program%20Report,%20FY%2019,%20June%2012,%202021.pdf
mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/laws/StatuteText?article=gcj§ion=3-2A-01&enactments=false
