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Negligent Administration of Vaccines Led to Boy’s Death

Vaccination

Vaccinations are usually considered safe for most children. They are necessary for the majority of kids because they can prevent the contraction of some serious childhood illnesses. While vaccines are often safe, each patient must be examined and a determination made prior to administration. A mother recently filed a lawsuit alleging that a doctor and medical office was negligent when ordering vaccinations for her child. The vaccines were administered according to doctor’s orders and the child died as a result of an adverse reaction. The lawsuit, filed in Cook County, seeks damages of more than $50,000.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are typically required for children at certain intervals and prior to entering school. However, children must first be examined by their physician to ensure that the vaccine is safe. Although rare, some children may be allergic to the ingredients in some of the common vaccines. The CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provides guidelines regarding when vaccinations should be withheld. Anyone who previously suffered any negative reactions to a dose of the vaccine in the past should not be given another dose. Those who have severe asthma or a variety of allergies must be further evaluated before administering a vaccine.

Doctors Must Be Accountable

Doctors and other medical practitioners are held to a standard of care because of their training, education, and experience. They are expected to know more than an average person about medical issues. When a mistake is made it is often considered medical malpractice. In this case, the results of the mistake were deadly. The boy died because of being given a dose of vaccine that should not have been administered. The doctor and his medical practice are being sued for damages caused by medical malpractice.

Medical Mistakes

Medical mistakes are all too common. In fact, mistakes made by doctors and hospitals account for thousands of deaths each year in the United States. Medical mistakes are the third most common cause of death. The important thing to keep in mind is that these mistakes could have been prevented. The mistakes may occur for a number of reasons including insufficient staffing, improper procedures, miscommunication, and other factors. In this situation, the doctor should have verified that the boy was not allergic to any ingredients in the vaccines before he prescribed them.

Malpractice Lawsuit

Serious injuries can result from medical errors. This boy died after having a severe reaction to the vaccinations. While there is nothing that can be done to change the outcome in this tragic case, the mother deserves compensation for her loss. The damages should include medical expenses and other costs that were incurred because of the mistake. Sadly, the boy’s life was cut short and his family will suffer the loss for years to come. If you or a loved one was seriously hurt because of the negligence of a doctor you may be entitled to compensation. The law requires you to file a claim within a time limit that is often two years from the date of the occurrence. Call the compassionate legal team at Levin & Perconti to learn your options.