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Medical malpractice affects kids, too 

On Behalf of | Jan 13, 2025 | Medical Malpractice

When the American public thinks about medical malpractice, people often associate this particular challenge with adult patients. However, children are just as vulnerable to medical errors as adults are, and the consequences can be especially devastating due to their developing bodies and long-term care needs. 

From birth injuries to misdiagnosed illnesses, medical malpractice can profoundly affect a child’s health, quality of life and future.

Common medical malpractice issues that impact children

Medical malpractice affecting children can occur in various settings and forms. Some of the most common types include:

  • Birth Injuries: Birth injuries are among the most tragic forms of medical malpractice involving children. Conditions such as cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy or brain damage can result from improper responses to birth-related complications. 
  • Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Children often manifest symptoms of various conditions differently than adults, making timely and accurate diagnoses a challenge. A misdiagnosed or untreated illness, such as meningitis or appendicitis, can lead to severe complications or even death.
  • Medication Errors: Dosage miscalculations or prescribing the wrong medication can have significant consequences for children. Their smaller size and developing organs make them especially susceptible to harm from medication errors.
  • Surgical Errors: Mistakes during pediatric surgeries, such as operating on the wrong site or causing accidental injury to nearby tissues, can have lifelong effects on a child’s development and health.
  • Failure to Treat: Ignoring symptoms or failing to follow up on abnormal test results can allow a child’s condition to worsen, leading to complications that could have been avoided with proper care.

When a child is harmed due to medical negligence, the effects extend far beyond the initial injury. Children may require ongoing medical care, therapy, or assistive devices for years—or even a lifetime. Parents often face emotional distress, financial strain and the challenge of ensuring their child receives necessary care. It is, therefore, often for an entire family’s benefit that parents opt to seek legal recourse in the wake of medical malpractice that has affected their children.