Having a sick child can be enough to make any parent nervous. Some illnesses simply require seeking professional care when home remedies don’t seem to be effective. New Mexico parents trust that the doctors they see will do their best to take care of their children and provide the advanced medical care necessary. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case and serious medical mistakes are sometimes made.
Recently a case in the Midwest involving diagnosis mistakes was settled in favor of the child and her family. The 8-year-old girl sustained a leg injury at school and, while at first, the injury didn’t seem anything to be concerned about, when a high fever and intense pain took over, the girl’s mother did what any parent would and sought medical attention. A preliminary blood test showed a possible infection, but doctors didn’t start her on antibiotics right away. They apparently waited 24 hours before giving the necessary medication, but by that point, it was too late; tissue on both arms and legs had already begun to die and amputation was necessary to save her life.
The partial amputation of all four limbs has resulted in a drastic lifestyle change. Aside from being emotionally and physically traumatizing, the need for intense therapies to re-learn how to walk and perform basic functions hasn’t been easy. The girl’s mother, in an effort to be able to provide the care her daughter needs, filed a medical malpractice claim against the hospital and doctors involved in her case. The hospital ultimately decided to settle to the tune of $32 million dollars, though hospital officials still deny any wrongdoing on their part.
Mistakes made by doctors or other medical staff can be life-altering. Further medical care required after these mistakes are made can create a significant emotional, physical and financial hardship to both the child and their parents. Residents in New Mexico who believe their child has been a victim of medical malpractice may be entitled to seek financial compensation to help ease the financial burden and maintain the necessary care to help in their child’s recovery.
Source: baltimoresun.com, sepsis claimed girl’s limbs but not her spirit
Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-sepsis-child-amputations-20140102,0,6604340.story#ixzz2pNyChBLM, Stacy St. Clair, Jan. 2, 2014
