Children lose their lives each year due to preventable or wrongful circumstances. Losing a child is unimaginable, and it can leave families with a void that can’t be filled. In this article, we’ll give you the top four causes of wrongful death when it comes to children. Let’s take a look.
1. Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is one of the leading causes of wrongful death in children. According to Forbes, medical errors account for 9.5% of deaths in the US each year. It’s more commonly seen in early infancy and childbirth. Common instances where wrongful death can occur includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Birth injuries: There are many birth injuries which can occur when delivering a baby. One is brain damage. This generally occurs if there’s delays in a C-section, there’s failure to monitor fetal distress, or there’s an improper use of forceps during delivery. Brain damage can lead to death in a lot of cases.
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis: Serious conditions like sepsis, meningitis or a congenital heart defect can lead to death as well. It’s important for doctors to rule out these if a child has fallen sick quite quickly.
- Medication errors: In some instances an incorrect dosage may be given to a child or the wrong medication may be given. This can occur if staff don’t complete a double check before giving the medication.
If you’ve lost a child due to medical malpractice, it’s important to seek advice from an Atlanta wrongful death lawyer, or one in your local area, to guide you on where to proceed next.
2. Auto Accidents
Car accidents are another leading cause of child death. Generally it’s due to negligent or reckless driving. Factors that cause death from a vehicle accident are:
- Distracted driving: Texting, talking on the phone, or other distractions can cause an accident to occur.
- Drunk driving: Drivers who drink alcohol or take drugs pose a significant risk to children and the public around them.
- Improperly secured car seats: A car seat not properly fitted can cause death if it’s in a collision. Many children who aren’t secured properly get thrown around the vehicle when an accident occurs.
3. Defective Products
Everyday toys and objects can pose a risk if they’re defective. Some of the common issues with defective products include:
- Toys with choking hazards: Toys for infants which feature small parts can cause death if they’re accidentally swallowed or inhaled. This is a common cause of deaths amongst infants.
- Faulty car seats and strollers: A defective design or manufacturing can lead to a child being crushed or ejected from the seat when an accident occurs.
- Cribs and sleep products: Poorly designed cribs or bedding can lead to suffocation, entrapment and death when sleeping. It’s important that the sleep options are safe and you keep an eye on your child and check them throughout the night when they’re young.
4. Negligent Supervision
Children can be harmed or die when there’s a lack of supervision. Some instances where wrongful death may occur are:
- Daycare and school accidents: If there’s not enough teachers to look after the children, it can be hard for a daycare or school to maintain a safe environment. This is generally when issues occur and children get hurt.
- Swimming pool drownings: Pools are a common cause of child death, especially when they aren’t supervised. If safety measures aren’t in place the risk of death is twice as high as fenced pools.
- Accidents in public places: Incidents in parks, playgrounds, or other public areas where children are not properly monitored can lead to tragic outcomes. Especially if the equipment isn’t properly maintained.
- Abuse: Child abuse is unfortunately a common issue when there’s a lack of supervision and the child is in the care of the abuser. Deaths can occur from sexual or physical trauma.
Endnote
Many wrongful deaths in children are preventable. It can be difficult for families to come to terms with losing a child due to someone else’s negligence. This is why it’s important to choose a professional lawyer who handles wrongful death cases so you can have time to grieve.