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The most common reasons pediatricians face medical malpractice lawsuits

On Behalf of | Apr 12, 2021 | Medical Malpractice

Many parents hold off on having their child see their doctor because they hope what ails them is only temporary. It’s only after the child’s illness lingers that some parents finally pick up the phone and call a pediatrician. 

While many pediatricians ask the right questions and perform the proper testing necessary to diagnose a young patient adequately, some don’t. Misdiagnosis example is just one of many reasons why pediatricians end up facing medical malpractice lawsuits here in the U.S.

Reasons for malpractice claims

A study by a malpractice insurance group that ran from 20082017 identified diagnosis issues as the most common reason that parents pursued medical malpractice claims. Improper diagnosis issues could include either a failure to diagnose, a diagnosis delay, or a misdiagnosis. The second most common reason for insurance claims in children involved improper treatment.

Communication issues

Doctors often misdiagnose young patients because patients that age have difficulty articulating their symptoms, and parents sometimes give a limited medical history for their child. Therefore, the onus falls on a physician’s shoulders to ask essential questions and perform any necessary tests to reach a proper diagnosis. When they fail to do that, a medical malpractice claim can follow. 

Why you must hold a negligent pediatrician accountable

Doctors are like every other human in that they make mistakes. The only difference between most other people’s errors and the ones that a doctor makes is that the latter can cost someone their good health or life. You owe it to your child to hold negligent doctors accountable for the harm they cause. In many cases, a medical malpractice lawsuit may be the only way to secure the compensation necessary to pay for injuries that could be long-term or permanent.