A recent study evaluated the top causes of medical errors affecting children. The study concluded that for those babies less than 1-month old, obstetrical errors were the leading cause of harm. For children aged 1 month – 17 years, diagnostic errors were the predominant issue, accounting for roughly a third or more of all allegations.
The most common type of injury was a brain injury. A brain injury can occur due to a lack of oxygen during delivery, or due to trauma. When a doctor fails to act promptly and in accordance with the standard of care, and harm occurs, it may be possible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit to recover damages.
The study also made an interesting finding – that many claims were filed several years after the complained of injury occurred. The statute of limitations for bringing a birth injury or medical malpractice claim for a minor varies, so it is crucial to contact an experienced Los Angeles medical malpractice lawyer immediately if you believe you or your child has suffered harm due to a preventable medical error.
For more information, or to begin an investigation into a medical negligence claim, please contact the dedicated Los Angeles medical malpractice lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.