$2.7 Million Pediatric Meningitis Verdict
In a recent case discussed the American Academy of Pediatrics News, a jury awarded $2.7 million on behalf of a child after determining two separate pediatricians were negligent in treating the toddler. Following a series of mistakes, physicians determined that the child had pediatric meningitis. However, as a result of the failure to diagnose meningitis in a timely matter, the child was rendered totally deaf and required a surgical shunt to drain fluid from her brain.
Pediatric meningitis is a leading cause of childhood mortality and lifelong medical problems. It is a Central Nervous System (CNS) infection that can cause catastrophic injuries if not diagnosed and treatment properly. Health care providers are trained to recognize the symptoms and take action quickly. When a health care provider fails to do so, he or she may be liable for medical malpractice.
In the instant case, a 15-month-old girl was taken to a hospital with a fever of 104 degrees. A first pediatrician diagnosed her with a double ear infection, prescribed amoxicillin and acetaminophen, and sent her home. Three days later, the mother called and reported that her daughter was sleeping constantly, not eating, and still had a fever. A second pediatrician stopped the amoxicillin and prescribed another antibiotic. After the fever failed to subside, the mother took the child to the emergency and was given a diagnosis of fever dehydration as a result of the ear infection. The fever persisted and after visiting the ED every day for a week, doctors eventually performed a spinal tap, revealing Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) meningitis.
By the time the spinal tap was performed, the child had suffered permanent hearing loss. Medical experts testified that had the spinal tap been performed earlier, the condition could have been successfully treated.
Although not every mistake constitutes medical negligence, when health care providers fail to comply with the requisite standard of care, they may be liable for the damages caused by their medical malpractice.
For more information or if you believe that you or a loved one was not properly diagnosed and treated for pediatric meningitis or any other conditions, contact Bostwick & Peterson, LLP, dedicated to helping those injured as a result of medical negligence.
