Medical Malpractice Involving Children and Pediatric Care

Parents and guardians trust pediatricians, nurses, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals to provide appropriate care to their children. When negligent medical treatment causes harm, families may have legal options for seeking compensation. Our Greenville medical malpractice attorneys can provide you with the information you need to move forward in your legal case.

How Medical Malpractice Can Affect Children in South Carolina

Children may receive medical care from pediatricians, emergency room physicians, specialists, nurses, and other healthcare providers. Because children may be unable to explain their symptoms clearly, healthcare professionals must take appropriate precautions when evaluating and treating young patients. However, medical errors can occur at any stage of treatment.

Medical malpractice happens when a healthcare provider fails to meet the applicable standard of care and that failure causes an injury to the patient. The team at Parham Smith & Archenhold, LLC, can investigate the medical records and circumstances surrounding your child’s treatment to determine whether negligence may have occurred. Examples of conduct that could potentially support a medical malpractice claim include:

• Failing to diagnose a serious illness or medical condition

• Administering an incorrect medication or dosage

• Failing to properly monitor a child after treatment or surgery

• Misinterpreting diagnostic tests

• Failing to recognize or respond to signs of an emergency

• Making an avoidable surgical or treatment error

Establishing a Pediatric Medical Malpractice Claim

South Carolina law has specific requirements for medical malpractice claims. Under S.C. Code § 15-36-100, victims must obtain an affidavit from a qualified medical expert when filing a medical malpractice action. The affidavit must identify at least one alleged negligent act or omission and the factual basis for the expert’s opinion. 

This requirement can make early investigation and preparation especially important. Having as much evidence as possible is key to strengthening your claim. Parents and guardians should keep copies of relevant records and documentation whenever possible, including:

• Medical records

• Diagnostic test results

• Hospital and medical bills

• Photographs and videos of your child’s visible injuries

• Written communication with healthcare providers

• Personal notes about your child’s symptoms, appointments, and changes in behavior

• School and childcare records that show affected attendance, physical activities, or behavior

• Information about additional treatment

Parham Smith & Archenhold, LLC, can review this evidence to help determine the strength of a potential claim. We can then assist in obtaining a medical expert affidavit, gathering surveillance footage of the incident, and documenting statements from eyewitnesses. Preserving information as soon as possible can help our team investigate the circumstances and build a more complete understanding of what happened.

Connect With Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Greenville, SC

At Parham Smith & Archenhold, LLC, we understand how difficult life can become for a child and their family after experiencing malpractice. Our mission is to assist local communities throughout South Carolina by helping you secure the justice you deserve. We offer free case assessments to those who have been injured by a healthcare professional. Contact one of our medical malpractice lawyers in Greenville today by calling 864-242-9008 or by using our online contact form.