*South Carolina*
Hello. My very good friend has a 5.5 year old little boy. When he was 2.5 years old, he became ill with flu-like symptoms. She took her son the the pediatrician (actually the MD was 'family medicine') for 6 months EVERY THREE DAYS. He was diagnosed with everything from acute ear infections to sinus infections to severe allergies. To make a long story short, (more details will be provided if requested or needed to help make a determination), after 6 months of meerly 'treating the symptoms', my friend took her son to the ER out of sheer desparation and frustration. A CT scan was immediately done. He had a tumor occupying 3/4 of his chest wall, going up the side of his neck and into his sinus cavity. He was dx with stage 4 neuroblastoma at 3 years of age. That evening he was admitted to the hospital and treated with aggressive chemo to try to save his life. He is still struggling, remission only lasted a few short months, and is not expected to live 6 more months. What makes this case most tragic is that neuroblastoma is curable if the diagnosis is rendered prior to three years of age. After the three year mark it is ALWAYS fatal. Each doctor who is now treating her son has said (on several occasions) that a simple urine test would have immediately show the problem. As previously stated, she took her son every three days to the family physician for six months. During that time NOT ONCE did the doctor draw blood or take a urine. This appears to me to be a GROSS negligence at it's finest. Based on this limited information, does this present itself as a case for medical malpractice? Why or why not. If so, I need a really good attorney in South Carolina who would be willing to take this case without a retainer. My friend hasn't worked in over a year and being a single parent of 4, she can hardly afford to feed herself. Thank you for your reply and any assistance you can offer.
Hello. My very good friend has a 5.5 year old little boy. When he was 2.5 years old, he became ill with flu-like symptoms. She took her son the the pediatrician (actually the MD was 'family medicine') for 6 months EVERY THREE DAYS. He was diagnosed with everything from acute ear infections to sinus infections to severe allergies. To make a long story short, (more details will be provided if requested or needed to help make a determination), after 6 months of meerly 'treating the symptoms', my friend took her son to the ER out of sheer desparation and frustration. A CT scan was immediately done. He had a tumor occupying 3/4 of his chest wall, going up the side of his neck and into his sinus cavity. He was dx with stage 4 neuroblastoma at 3 years of age. That evening he was admitted to the hospital and treated with aggressive chemo to try to save his life. He is still struggling, remission only lasted a few short months, and is not expected to live 6 more months. What makes this case most tragic is that neuroblastoma is curable if the diagnosis is rendered prior to three years of age. After the three year mark it is ALWAYS fatal. Each doctor who is now treating her son has said (on several occasions) that a simple urine test would have immediately show the problem. As previously stated, she took her son every three days to the family physician for six months. During that time NOT ONCE did the doctor draw blood or take a urine. This appears to me to be a GROSS negligence at it's finest. Based on this limited information, does this present itself as a case for medical malpractice? Why or why not. If so, I need a really good attorney in South Carolina who would be willing to take this case without a retainer. My friend hasn't worked in over a year and being a single parent of 4, she can hardly afford to feed herself. Thank you for your reply and any assistance you can offer.