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STUDY: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE MORE LIKELY WITH CHRONICALLY ILL KIDS


Though medical care can generally be trusted to be high quality, doctors still sometimes cause accidents due to negligence that can result in injury to the patient. These medical malpractice cases are relatively common and are more likely to occur to those who are hospitalized longer or more frequently. Atlanta victims who have been injured or who have had loved ones injured may be entitled to compensation if the injuries were caused by the doctor’s negligence.

A new study published in the journal Pediatrics found that children with chronic health conditions were more likely to be affected by medical errors and complications. Because children with chronic conditions have more complicated situations and have to stay in the hospital longer, they are more prone to injuries stemming from medical malpractice. Just over 5 percent of children with a chronic condition experienced medical errors whereas only 1.3 percent of children without chronic conditions experienced medical errors.

In the study, the patients’ injuries did not always stem from obvious mistakes. Other preventable harms such as adverse reactions to medication and infections from surgery were counted as medical errors. To address issues like these, the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality aims to improve safety for hospital patients.

A victim of medical error or the loved ones of such victims may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, and may wish to bring an action against the negligent doctor and hospital. Patients, and parents of patients, can better protect themselves against medical malpractice by asking questions and by closely monitoring their child’s care.

Source: Reuters.com, “More hospital errors when kids have chronic ills,” Amy Norton, Sept. 11, 2012

Our law firm handles cases with issues like the one mentioned in this article. For more information, please visit our medical malpractice page.