When a child is harmed by negligent medical care, the consequences extend far beyond the initial injury. A misread test result, an incorrect dosage, or a delayed diagnosis can alter the course of a child’s development, affecting cognitive function, physical health, and quality of life for years to come. Families in this situation are often left trying to navigate a complex medical and legal system while managing their child’s ongoing care, all without clear answers about what went wrong or who is responsible.
At Davis & Davis, our trial-tested legal team has spent nearly 70 years fighting exclusively for victims of medical malpractice in Laredo and across Texas. We handle only medical malpractice cases, which means every resource, every relationship with medical professionals, and every ounce of our litigation experience is directed toward cases like yours. If your child was harmed by negligent pediatric care, we are here to help you pursue the accountability and compensation your family deserves.
What Is Pediatric Medical Malpractice?
Pediatric medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to deliver the standard of care owed to a child patient, and that failure directly causes harm. This standard applies to pediatricians, emergency room physicians, nurses, specialists, and any other provider involved in a child’s treatment. When care falls below that standard and a child suffers as a result, the family may have grounds for a legal claim.
According to research published in Pediatrics by the American Academy of Pediatrics, when pediatric malpractice suits are successful, the average payout is among the highest across all medical specialties, reflecting the serious and lasting nature of the harm these cases typically involve. Common forms of pediatric malpractice include failure to diagnose a condition in a timely manner, incorrect medication dosages, misread imaging or lab results, and inadequate communication between care teams.
Common Causes of Pediatric Malpractice in Laredo
Negligent pediatric care can result from a range of systemic and individual failures. The following are among the most common contributing factors in Laredo pediatric malpractice cases.
- Failure to diagnose or a delayed diagnosis of a serious condition
- Incorrect medication dosages based on a child’s age or weight
- Misread imaging, lab results, or vital signs
- Inadequate communication among members of a care team
- Emergency department errors resulting in premature discharge
- Insufficient training on pediatric protocols or updated treatment standards
Children who receive incorrect treatment may suffer harm that compounds the original injury, and a condition left undiagnosed may progress without intervention. No Laredo family should have to bear those consequences alone.
How Our Laredo Pediatric Malpractice Attorneys Can Help
While you focus on your child’s care and your family’s wellbeing, our team can begin building your case immediately. Proving medical negligence requires demonstrating four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. We collect and analyze time-sensitive evidence, work with qualified medical professionals, and construct a detailed, evidence-driven account of what occurred and who is responsible.
Our attorneys handle every aspect of the filing process on your behalf. Medication errors, birth injuries, and surgical errors each carry specific evidentiary and procedural requirements, and our team has the depth of experience to handle them all. Insurance carriers are not working in your family’s interests, and claims submitted without legal representation are frequently met with low settlement offers or rejected on procedural grounds. Having our team involved from the beginning protects your rights and keeps your case on track.
Texas Statute of Limitations for Pediatric Malpractice Claims
Texas imposes a two-year statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims, measured from the date of the occurrence. For children under 12 at the time of the occurrence, the limitations period is generally tolled until the child reaches age 12, giving the family until the child’s 14th birthday to file. If you are uncertain whether your deadline has passed or is approaching, we can assess your situation at no cost during a free consultation.
Insurance companies are not looking out for your best interests. Their objective is to reach a settlement for the minimum amount you will accept. Having an attorney on your side from the start of your case prevents that from happening and ensures your family is not pressured into a resolution short of what you are owed.
What Compensation May Be Available to Your Family
A pediatric malpractice occurrence can leave your family facing significant financial and emotional burdens. We pursue the full scope of damages your child and family may be owed. This includes past and future medical treatment costs, emergency care and prescription expenses, ongoing therapy and rehabilitation services, lost income for a parent or caregiver who must reduce work hours, as well as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress.
In Texas, there is no cap on economic damages in medical malpractice cases. Non-economic damages are capped at $250,000 per defendant, and in cases involving gross negligence, punitive damages may also be available. If a child’s injury results in death, the family may also have grounds for a wrongful death claim in addition to the malpractice claim itself.
Contact Davis & Davis: Laredo Pediatric Malpractice Lawyers
Davis & Davis’s trial-tested legal team brings nearly 70 years of combined experience and more than 300 jury trials to every case we take. Our exclusive focus has been on fighting for victims of medical malpractice in Texas and nationwide, and we handle pediatric malpractice claims throughout Laredo and South Texas with no upfront fees. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family.
If your child has suffered harm because of a negligent provider, reach out to our team for a free case evaluation. Fill out our contact form and we will follow up to discuss your situation and your legal options.
