When you entrust the care of your child to a pediatrician or specialist, that trust should never be broken with a substandard level of medical care. Unfortunately, this is the exact problem that many families in New Mexico encounter.
When pediatric malpractice causes a serious child injury, illness or infection, legal support and representation are available at The Fine Law Firm. Our Albuquerque medical malpractice attorneys have been representing clients in Bernalillo County since 1975. We will treat you like family as we seek justice for your child’s preventable injuries. Contact us today to begin with a free case consultation.
Why Choose Our Albuquerque Pediatric Malpractice Attorneys?
- Our lawyers are in this business to help people. We know what a serious injury can mean for your child and his or her future. We will be here for you through every step of the legal process.
- We have over 50 years of experience handling New Mexico medical malpractice claims. We understand what complex cases need to succeed and have close connections with top medical experts.
- When our clients need serious results for serious child injuries, we deliver. Our law firm has a 99 percent case success rate and a track record of millions won for clients. We will go after the financial recovery your family needs during this difficult time.
- You won’t be charged anything for our legal services during your pediatric malpractice case in Albuquerque unless we achieve financial compensation on your behalf. Learn more about how our contingency fees work.
How Can a Pediatric Malpractice Lawyer Help Me?
Your family has enough to worry about as you care for the needs of your child who suffered a serious injury due to poor medical care by a pediatrician in Albuquerque. A pediatric malpractice lawyer takes care of the process of pursuing justice and financial compensation while your family focuses on healing.
An attorney will carefully assess your case to search for signs of malpractice and evidence of pediatric negligence. Then, your lawyer will handle the complex legal process of filing a medical malpractice claim in Albuquerque and fighting for a fair settlement or judgment award that covers your family’s losses.
What Is Pediatric Malpractice?
In personal injury law, medical malpractice is a tort or wrongdoing that describes professional negligence. It refers to a licensed health care provider falling short of the proper standard of care while treating a patient. Substandard care by a medical professional, including a pediatrician or pediatric hospital, can lead to an injury lawsuit if it causes patient harm.
Pediatric malpractice specifically refers to a physician failing to meet the duty of care when treating a newborn, infant, child or teenager. It can describe many different acts and omissions that a reasonably prudent physician would have avoided under the same circumstances. If a pediatrician’s negligence or lack of proper care leads to an injury or death, the victim’s parents or legal guardians can file a claim in Albuquerque.
Types of Pediatric Malpractice and Related Child Injuries
All health care providers in New Mexico are legally obligated to uphold the medical industry’s standards of care. When a pediatric doctor or medical center in Albuquerque falls short of their duty of care, it can cause significant patient harm.
A negligent pediatrician could make many careless and harmful errors when treating a child, such as:
- Birth injuries
- Failure to treat
- Failure to diagnose
- Misdiagnosis
- Delayed diagnosis
- Medication mistake
- Anesthesia error
- Failure to obtain informed consent
- Surgical error
- Inadequate supervision
- Failure to monitor
Pediatric malpractice is a serious problem that can cause child injuries such as nerve damage, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis and organ damage. It can be difficult to spot the signs of pediatric malpractice if your child is too young to communicate. Observe your child before, during and after doctor’s appointments to help spot the signs of a medical error.
Elements of Proof for a Pediatric Malpractice Claim in Albuquerque
When a medical malpractice claim is filed in Albuquerque, the plaintiff or filing party has the burden of proof. This means the plaintiff must prove the required elements of a pediatric malpractice claim as more likely to be true than not.
The burden of proof must be met with evidence such as medical records, medical expert testimony, witness statements and proof of damages. The required legal elements are that the pediatric provider owed the child a duty of care, breached this duty, caused the minor’s injuries and that the plaintiff suffered real losses as a result.
Compensation Available
If your child is a victim of pediatric malpractice in Albuquerque, you have the right to file a personal injury claim on behalf of the minor as his or her parent or legal guardian. You may be eligible to recover financial compensation for a variety of your economic and non-economic damages:
- Related medical costs, including additional bills and expenses after the injury
- The costs of a long-term or permanent child injury
- Loss of the child’s capacity to earn if he or she has a lifelong disability
- Your child’s pain, suffering and diminished enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages, in cases involving gross pediatric malpractice
- The wrongful death of your child, if the malpractice is fatal
Do not attempt to settle a pediatric malpractice claim with an insurance company on your own before consulting with an attorney first. Insurance companies in Albuquerque do not have your best interests in mind. Initial settlement offers are often low. A lawyer from The Fine Law Firm can negotiate for you to achieve a fair case outcome.
Contact The Fine Law Firm for a Free Pediatric Malpractice Case Review in Albuquerque
We know how emotionally traumatic and distressing it can be to discover that your child has been a victim of pediatric malpractice. At The Fine Law Firm, we are dedicated to fighting for the rights of vulnerable children in Albuquerque and across New Mexico.
With help from our highly experienced medical malpractice attorneys, your family can take strong and swift legal action against the pediatrician or medical center responsible for causing your child’s injuries. We will fight aggressively for your rights in and out of a courtroom in Bernalillo County.
You are not alone in the search for justice for medical negligence that harmed your child. Contact us to request a free pediatric malpractice case consultation, where you can discuss your unique situation directly with one of our attorneys at no cost or pressure. Call (505) 889-3463 now.