FAQ About Pediatric Malpractice
While any type of medical malpractice is difficult for the victim to endure, it’s often especially heartbreaking when that victim is an infant or child. Parents entrust their children to the care of experienced and certified pediatricians and hospital staff, and having that trust violated by pediatric malpractice is devastating. When parents are faced with pediatric malpractice it is normal for them to feel overwhelmed and confused by the sea of medical and legal issues their family is facing. To ease that confusion and begin making strides toward finding the legal help your family needs to cope with this terrible situation, consider the following frequently asked questions and answers regarding pediatric malpractice.
What Should I Do If I Think I Might Have a Pediatric Malpractice Case?
Should your child ever become injured and you feel it may have been due to child malpractice, we recommend that you first seek out a second opinion from a trusted and experienced pediatrician. It’s also best to seek out an attorney, like those at McGehee ☆ Chang, Landgraf, Feiler who focuses on pediatric malpractice cases. Between the two professionals, you’ll gain a better idea of how severe your child’s injuries are, which treatment options you should consider, and your legal rights under the circumstances.
Is My Child’s Birth Defect Connected to Malpractice?
Determining whether or not a child’s condition is due to a birth defect or pediatric malpractice, it is important to have a law firm like McGehee ☆ Chang, Landgraf, Feiler carefully examine the circumstances of the delivery. A professional should review both the level and type of care surrounding the child’s birth. Specific types of medical records that are commonly reviewed for pediatric malpractice cases include the following:
- Delivery and labor files
- Neonatal records
- Newborn files
- Fetal heart monitor readouts
- Reports of all tests conducted on the infant during the pregnancy
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Suit?
If you believe your child’s death was due to the actions or inactions of a medical care facility or physician, there are strong grounds for a wrongful death suit. The length of time available to file the suit is known as the statute of limitations, which differs from state to state. In Texas, you generally have two years to file a wrongful death case. However, it is important to discuss the specifics of your situation with qualified pediatric malpractice and wrongful death attorney.
What is the Apgar Score?
When consulting with a licensed pediatrician or pediatric medical malpractice attorney about your case, you may hear something called an APGAR score. This is the result of two examinations done on newborns soon after they are delivered to determine their state of health. The APGAR score is determined by studying the newborns:
- Reflex irritability
- Heart rate
- Muscle tone
- Skin color
- Breathing
How Can I Get Legal Help For My Pediatric Malpractice Case?
Now that you have a foundation for a better understanding of pediatric malpractice cases, you may be ready to speak with an attorney. It’s best that you turn to professionals who are not only experienced in their industry but who have recent experience with pediatric malpractice cases. This ensures that you’re consulting with professionals with the most up-to-date knowledge and relevant experience.
The idea that your child may have been injured by the very individuals who were supposed to care for her or him is a heavy burden to bear, but you don’t have to do so alone. Learn more about your rights and how you should proceed by contacting McGehee ☆ Chang, Landgraf, Feiler at 713-864-4000.