Most pediatricians are highly trained and dedicated professionals who only want what’s best for their young patients. However, despite the best intentions, mistakes happen. Injuries or fatalities due to preventable medical errors are especially tragic when the victims are children.
Parents of children who have been injured, or even died, as a result of negligence on the part of the child’s pediatrician have a right to seek compensation for their child’s past, current and future medical expenses, long term medical care, physical therapy, pain, suffering and emotional anguish.
Getting Help From An Experienced Pediatric Malpractice Attorney
Lisa Levine P.A. is a dedicated Fort Lauderdale pediatric malpractice lawyer who has been protecting the rights of victims of pediatric and infant care negligence in Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, Weston, Hollywood (FL), Pompano Beach and other South Florida communities for over 35 years.
Proving negligence on the part of clinics, hospitals, pediatricians and other healthcare professionals who provide medical care to children is the biggest challenge in a pediatric medical malpractice case. Having your claim represented by an experienced pediatric malpractice lawyer like Lisa Levine, who understands the steps necessary in proving pediatric negligence, can mean the difference between recovering maximum compensation or having your case thrown out of court.
Establishing Proof of Pediatric Negligence
The process starts with a free, initial consultation to discuss the facts in your case as well as answering any questions you might have. Moving forward, we must determine if your case meets the requirements as specified under Florida state law. In order to bring claim we must establish:
- Proof of a doctor-patient relationship
- Proof of negligent care on the part of the healthcare provider and that this negligent care led to your child’s injuries
- Proof of specific damages resulting from your child’s injuries
Investigating Your Case
We establish proof by thoroughly examining the evidence in your child’s case. This includes:
- Medical records
- Photos of injuries (if applicable)
- Medical bills
- Letters from medical professional
- Letters from your health insurance company
- Any notes you’ve taken related to the medical care you’ve received
An Expert’s Opinion Will Help Establish Proof
Establishing proof of a doctor-patient relationship is fairly easy. The next step of getting the opinion of an independent expert is an important step in establishing proof for your claim.
We will consult with an independent pediatrician who will review your child’s medical records. One of the details our expert will be searching for is what’s referred to as the medical standard of care. Did the doctor who treated your child provide the same level of skill and care as another pediatrician with similar training and experience would have?
If, after reviewing your child’s medical records, our expert determines that your child did not receive the proper medical standard of care and suffered significant injuries and damages as a result, they will write a signed affidavit stating that you have a valid malpractice claim. This affidavit will then be included in a notice of intent to sue, which is served to the negligent health care provider.
Expert witnesses are not always easy to find. Not all pediatricians will agree to do it. Lisa S. Levine prefers specialists who teach, write scholarly work, and are well-versed in the condition the plaintiff is suffering from.
Proving Damages from Pediatric Negligence
Once we’ve established proof of negligent care on the part of the hospital, clinic, doctor, nurse or other healthcare provider, we must then show that this negligence resulted in harm, or damages, to the patient and assign a monetary value to these damages. Damages for medical malpractice and negligence can include:
- Past, present and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Long term medical care
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Medical devices and aids
- Drug costs
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Loss of future earning capacity
Speak With an Experienced Ft. Lauderdale Pediatric Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Don’t put off speaking with a lawyer about your pediatric negligence case. In Florida, the statute for limits for filing a medical malpractice claim is two years.
A child’s bright tomorrow can be shattered forever by the negligence of another. If your child has suffered injuries due to mistakes or errors on the part of their pediatrician or other healthcare provider, then call Fort Lauderdale pediatric negligence lawyer Lisa Levine today at 954-256-1820 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We’ll sit down with you to evaluate the facts in your case evaluate your case, answer your questions, and advise you on how to move forward with your pediatric malpractice claim in Florida.
We accept pediatric and other medical malpractice cases on a contingency basis. That means there are no up-front costs to her clients and we only collect our fee after you’ve won your case. Weekend and evening appointments aren’t a problem; and if your child is unable to come to our offices we can arrange to meet with you at home or in the hospital.
