How Common Are Emergency Room Malpractice Cases Involving Children?

Emergency room visits with children can quickly change from the hope of getting help to a parent’s worst nightmare if something goes wrong because of a medical mistake. Parents trust ER doctors to provide proper care for their injured or sick children, but medical errors happen more often than families realize. When healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care for pediatric patients, children can suffer life-altering harm.

The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl has a proven history of advocating for victims of medical malpractice, including cases involving children. Our experienced Baltimore-based medical malpractice attorneys understand the unique challenges these cases present, and we fight for the compensation that victims and their families deserve.

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Why Are Pediatric Patients More Vulnerable to Errors in the ER?

What many people may not understand is that children are not just “mini-adults” when it comes to medical care. Pediatric anatomy and physiology differ significantly from adults. The doctors and other ER staff working at many local hospitals may be well trained to treat adults but lacking in pediatric training and experience. They may not recognize the critical differences between treating pediatric patients or responding appropriately.

Pediatric Anatomy and Physiology Differences

• Smaller Airway Anatomy: their smaller airways are more pliable, increasing the risk of an airway obstruction.
• Faster Heart Rate: Children have faster heart rates and different normal vital sign ranges
• Higher Metabolic Rate: A child’s faster metabolism means they consume oxygen and hydrate faster. When ill, this means their condition can quickly turn and deteriorate more quickly.
• Subtle Signs Something Is Wrong: Children may seem okay, masking signs of shock and changes to their heart rate and blood pressure. Without careful monitoring, providers may miss the subtle cues that they are in danger.

In addition to the physical differences of treating children versus treating adults, there are other unique challenges ER doctors may encounter:

Inability to Communicate Symptoms

Babies and toddlers cannot tell a doctor what is wrong with them. Even young children who can talk may be unable to describe their pain accurately or explain their symptoms in detail. Children often become frightened or uncooperative during examinations, making it even harder for medical providers to determine what is wrong.

Rapid Condition Changes

A child’s medical condition can deteriorate quickly from stable to critical, requiring constant monitoring. That level of focused attention is something that many busy ERs may struggle to provide.

Limited Understanding of a Patient’s Medical History

Young patients likely do not yet know their medical history, allergies, or current medications, increasing treatment risks. Anxious parents, especially if there is a language barrier, may be emotional and struggle to effectively with medical staff.

Equipment Limitations

Some Baltimore emergency rooms lack pediatric-specific equipment or some of their staff may be unfamiliar with how to use it effectively.

Weight-Based Medication Dosing

Medication dosing errors can have much more serious outcomes for pediatric patients. Pediatricians are specially trained to properly calculate medications for smaller bodies with organ systems that are still developing.

The fast-paced environment and high patient volume of any ER can create conditions where mistakes can occur. Staff fatigue, inadequate pediatric training, and insufficient communication between medical teams contribute to these errors.

What Common ER Mistakes May Lead to Pediatric Malpractice Claims?

It is important to recognize that not all medical errors are medical malpractice. Medical malpractice happens when doctors and other healthcare providers deviate from the acceptable standard of care and it causes harm to a patient.

Some ER medical mistakes, like medication dosing errors, are extremely common, but very dangerous. While it is difficult to quantify the exact number of pediatric patients affected annually, there are some numbers that give us an idea.

The Children’s Hospital Association shared recent reports from the US Pharmacopeia (USP), which found the instances of pediatric medication errors were much higher (31 percent) than those for adults (13 percent).

Frequent ER mistakes affecting children include:

• Inadequate Examination: Rushing through physical exams without thoroughly assessing all potential causes of symptoms.
• Ignoring Parental Concerns: Dismissing parents’ observations about changes in their child’s condition or behavior.
• Misdiagnosis: Children’s symptoms can mimic multiple conditions. Without investigating symptoms further, such as through diagnostic testing, doctors may come to incorrect conclusions about their medical needs.
• Delayed Diagnosis: Waiting too long to order necessary tests or consult specialists when children show concerning symptoms that could help connect the dots and reach a diagnosis.
• Laboratory Mistakes: These types of errors involve the handling of diagnostic tests and specimen handling, such as incorrect labeling or the improper transport of tests.
• Medication Dosing Errors: Dosage calculations based on weight and age require precision that busy ER staff sometimes miss.
• Inadequate monitoring: Children’s conditions can change rapidly, requiring closer observation than some facilities provide.
• Staff Communication Breakdowns: Information gets lost when multiple providers treat the same child during shift changes.
• Improper Discharge: Sending children home too early without adequate monitoring or follow-up instructions for parents.
• Failure to Communicate: Not taking time to properly explain warning signs to parents or provide clear instructions for at-home care.

These errors become malpractice when they fall below the accepted standard of care that reasonable emergency room physicians would provide under similar circumstances. When healthcare providers follow proper protocols and maintain appropriate standards of care, many medical errors can be prevented.

How Do Pediatric ER Malpractice Claims Differ From Adult Cases in Maryland?

Pediatric emergency room malpractice cases differ substantially from adult cases in several key ways.

Extended Filing Deadlines

The statute of limitations for pediatric malpractice cases extends longer than for cases involving adults. Children have until age 21 to file claims, or within three years of discovering the injury, whichever is later. This extended timeframe acknowledges that some medical errors may not become apparent until children grow older.  Experienced medical malpractice attorneys can help determine what medical costs can be recoverable within this extended deadline.

Higher Potential Damages

Damage calculations also differ significantly in pediatric cases. Courts consider the child’s entire lifetime when calculating lost future earnings and medical expenses. A serious injury to a young child may require decades of ongoing care and treatment.

Factors that must be considered in a medical malpractice case involving a child include:

• Injury severity
• Age at injury
• Treatment costs
• Family impact
• Career potential

Specialized Medical Testimony:

Medical malpractice cases involving children require pediatric medical professionals who understand child-specific standards of care.

Parental Involvement

Parents must make legal decisions on behalf of minor children and may need court approval for settlements.

Future Planning

Settlements must account for ongoing medical needs, educational support, and long-term care requirements.

How Do I Know If My Child Is the Victim of a Medical Error?

Be sure to monitor your child closely after an emergency room visit, as many medical errors only become apparent after discharge. Recognizing warning signs can help alert you to when your child needs emergent follow-up care and when an error may constitute malpractice.

Worsening Symptoms

Children who were misdiagnosed or inadequately treated may show worsening symptoms despite receiving emergency care. Their condition may fail to improve as expected or may deteriorate rapidly after returning home from the hospital.

Trust Your Instincts

If you feel something seems wrong with your child’s recovery, trust your instincts. Medical providers may sometimes dismiss parental concerns, but you know your child better than anyone. You are more likely to notice subtle changes that may indicate bigger problems.

Do You Suspect Pediatric Malpractice? Call Our Baltimore Law Firm Today

If your child suffers harm due to emergency room negligence in Baltimore, you need experienced legal representation to fight for their rights and protect their future. At The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl, we have extensive knowledge and experience of the complexities of pediatric malpractice cases. When we represent you, we are prepared to fight tirelessly for the compensation your family deserves.

If you need legal help with a pediatric medical malpractice case, contact our trusted law firm today. Your initial consultation is completely free. Since we take medical malpractice claims on contingency, you pay us nothing up front. We only get paid if you do.