When your child is unwell, you depend on pediatricians and healthcare professionals to listen carefully, investigate thoroughly, and provide the right care at the right time. But what happens when something goes wrong? What if symptoms are brushed off or serious conditions are missed?
At Fronzuto Law Group, founding attorney Ernest P. Fronzuto, Esq. has spent decades representing New Jersey families whose children have suffered life-altering harm due to pediatric malpractice. With a focused practice in complex pediatric and medical negligence claims, the firm is dedicated to helping parents hold providers accountable when proper care is not delivered.
If you suspect your child’s condition was worsened or caused by a healthcare provider’s mistake, you are not alone—and you may have legal options. Here are seven red flags that may point to pediatric malpractice and why it’s important to speak with an attorney if any of them sound familiar.
1. Your Concerns Were Dismissed
Parents know their children best. When you repeatedly raise concerns about pain, developmental changes, unusual behavior, or symptoms and your provider downplays or ignores them, this could indicate negligence. A missed opportunity to act early may allow a treatable condition to progress unnecessarily.
2. There Was a Delay in Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis
Some pediatric conditions are time-sensitive. If your child’s illness was initially misdiagnosed (or diagnosed only after multiple visits, worsening symptoms, or emergency hospitalization) it may signal that the standard of care was not met.
Commonly delayed or misdiagnosed conditions include:
- Meningitis
- Appendicitis
- Diabetes (especially Type 1)
- Leukemia
- Respiratory infections
- Sepsis
Prompt testing, referrals, and follow-up are essential. A delay in any of these can have serious consequences.
3. Emergency Symptoms Were Overlooked
If your child presented with alarming symptoms—such as a high fever, severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, or changes in consciousness—and was sent home without proper evaluation or treatment, the outcome could be tragic.
Emergency rooms and urgent care centers have a legal duty to recognize and respond to critical pediatric symptoms. Failing to do so may be grounds for a claim.
4. No Specialist Referral Was Made When It Was Clearly Needed
Primary care pediatricians are trained to identify when a specialist is needed; whether that’s a neurologist, endocrinologist, or another expert. If your child’s provider failed to refer them despite ongoing or worsening symptoms, and that failure contributed to harm, it could constitute malpractice.
5. Medical Tests Were Ordered But Never Followed Up
Medical malpractice can occur not only from failing to order tests, but also from failing to properly interpret or act on the results. If lab work, imaging, or screenings were performed but never explained, followed up on, or acted upon, and your child suffered as a result, that’s a serious issue.
6. A Medication or Treatment Error Occurred
Incorrect dosing, prescribing the wrong medication, or failing to recognize dangerous interactions can have grave consequences for children, whose bodies may respond more severely to medication errors. If your child suffered adverse effects from a medication or treatment that was improperly prescribed or administered, legal review may be appropriate.
7. Your Child’s Condition Worsened Under Medical Care
Sometimes, a child’s health deteriorates in ways that feel preventable. If your child’s condition worsened despite repeat visits, complaints, or escalating—and especially if there was no change in the treatment plan—this may suggest that something critical was missed.
How Do I Know If It’s Pediatric Malpractice?
Pediatric malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted medical standard of care, and that failure results in harm. This doesn’t mean every bad outcome is malpractice—but when a provider’s inaction, delay, or mistake causes avoidable injury, families have a right to seek justice.
To succeed in a malpractice claim in New Jersey, your legal team must prove:
- A doctor-patient relationship existed
- The provider breached the standard of care
- That breach directly caused injury to the child
- The injury resulted in damages (physical, emotional, and/or financial)
At Fronzuto Law Group, we consult with respected pediatric experts, review medical records thoroughly, and build strong cases based on clear evidence of substandard care.
What Types of Harm Can Result from Pediatric Malpractice?
The consequences of pediatric malpractice can vary widely, from temporary complications to permanent disabilities. Some examples include:
- Brain damage from untreated infections or oxygen deprivation
- Seizure disorders due to delayed diagnosis
- Organ failure caused by missed diagnoses
- Permanent disability resulting from untreated or improperly managed illness
- Death, in the most tragic cases
In addition to the physical consequences, families may also endure emotional trauma, financial strain, and years of specialized care.
What Compensation May Be Available?
If malpractice is proven, compensation may include:
- Medical costs (current and future)
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Assistive devices and special education
- Loss of future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Our goal is to help your family secure the resources needed to support your child’s future with dignity and stability.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in NJ?
Under New Jersey law, most medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years of the date the injury occurred. For injuries involving children, the law typically allows until the child’s 13th birthday to file a claim. That said, early action is critical.
As time passes, evidence may be lost and memories may fade. By consulting a knowledgeable pediatric malpractice attorney as soon as possible, you give your legal team the best chance to build a strong, timely case.
Why Families Across NJ Trust Fronzuto Law Group
With a firm exclusively focused on complex medical malpractice and pediatric injury claims, Fronzuto Law Group brings unmatched experience and compassionate guidance to every case. Led by Ernest P. Fronzuto, Esq., we work with families throughout New Jersey to pursue accountability and compensation after devastating medical errors.
We understand what’s at stake for your child and your family—and we’re committed to helping you move forward with clarity and strength.
Worried Something Went Wrong? Fronzuto Law Group Can Help
If you suspect that medical malpractice played a role in your child’s injury, don’t wait to seek answers. Fronzuto Law Group proudly represents families across New Jersey, including in Passaic County, Bergen County, Essex County, Hudson County, Morris County, and Union County. Whether you live in Woodland Park, Clifton, Hackensack, Newark, Jersey City, or Morristown, our team is ready to support you.
Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced New Jersey pediatric malpractice attorney. Let’s talk about what happened and how we can help protect your child’s future.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique. For personalized legal guidance, please contact Fronzuto Law Group directly.