Tom Dickerson
Tom Dickerson is a trial attorney and co-founder of Dickerson Oxton, where he focuses on personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury litigation. Since launching the firm with Chelsea Oxton Dickerson in 2010, Tom has helped recover millions of dollars for injured clients through aggressive advocacy and courtroom experience. Known for his client-first approach, he is dedicated to standing up for individuals and families against insurance companies and large corporations.
Child injury cases are extremely serious matters, and any parent would want to ensure that the medical negligence attorney they choose can help represent their legal rights effectively. However, the legal world is often incredibly complex, and it can be difficult to tell apart the good lawyers from the great ones. To add to the pressure, child injury cases are often incredibly emotionally charged, which means navigating the process effectively can be taxing on the mind. Finding an experienced medical negligence attorney to handle your case can help provide peace of mind as well as legal care.
Dickerson Oxton is a Kansas City personal injury law firm that has recovered tens of millions of dollars for clients, as well as handling numerous successful medical negligence cases. For your 2026 medical malpractice case, an experienced attorney in the Kansas City area can provide a case evaluation in a personalized consultation. Call the office today at (816) 542-6599 to learn more about your rights.
What Should I Expect in a Child Injury Case?
Seeking compensation for a child injury in Kansas City, Missouri, often involves certain unique statutes that may not apply to standard personal injury cases. The statute of limitations for medical negligence is different for child injury cases, and there are additional steps that must be taken to file a claim against a medical service provider. While standard personal injury policies may apply, most parents can expect a child injury case to require more extensive legal knowledge.
Summary of Kansas City Medical Negligence Law
This article explains how parents can evaluate and select a medical negligence attorney for a child injury case while navigating Missouri legal requirements.
- Child injury medical negligence claims often involve unique statutes of limitations, including extended filing timelines for minors under Missouri law.
- Medical negligence differs from medical malpractice, with negligence generally involving failures to meet accepted standards of care, while malpractice involves known risks and professional judgment errors.
- Missouri law requires additional procedural steps, such as an affidavit from a qualified health care provider, before a lawsuit against a medical service provider may proceed.
Dickerson Oxton is a Kansas City personal injury law firm that represents individuals and families in medical negligence and child injury matters across Missouri and Kansas.
What is Medical Negligence?
Medical negligence is any action or inaction from a medical professional that leads to harm or injury to a patient or other individual to whom they have a duty of care. If a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional has a responsibility to provide a certain standard of care to an individual, any failure to meet this standard may be considered negligence. A medical negligence attorney will note that there is a nuanced distinction between medical malpractice and medical negligence. Medical negligence is generally defined by a mistake caused by a lack of awareness or failure to adhere to accepted standards of care. Medical malpractice, however, is generally determined by knowledge of potential risks combined with medical mistakes that cause injuries. Malpractice is also a term exclusive to certain fields, wherein the knowledge and expertise of the professional are essential to protecting the interests of the client or patient.
Important Missouri Statutes
A medical negligence attorney can also inform clients of the relevant Missouri statutes that can influence a child injury case. Missouri provides several provisions to advocate for the wellness and health of children in the state, which may be important to understand before pursuing a case. Additionally, due to the multiple state jurisdictions in Kansas City, a medical negligence attorney can help determine whether Kansas statutes or Missouri statutes apply to your case.
For more information on jurisdictions in Kansas City, speak with a skilled medical negligence attorney from Dickerson Oxton today.
Statute of Limitations for Child Injury
The Missouri statute of limitations typically prevents individuals from filing a personal injury claim after five years from the date of the injury or discovery, according to RS. Mo. § 516.120. However, several other provisions impact a child injury case in unique ways. While medical malpractice cases are generally considered personal injury cases, RS. Mo. § 516.105 states that any case pertaining to a medical service provider must be brought within two years instead of the standard five. However, for minor children who have been injured, this time constraint does not come into effect until they turn eighteen. This means that child injury cases may be brought to court any time before the child’s twentieth birthday.
Medical Malpractice Filing Requirements
Additionally, since the complexities of the medical field make identifying medical negligence difficult, any lawsuit brought against a medical service provider must first be verified by a third party. RS. Mo. § 538.225 requires that the plaintiff’s medical negligence attorney file an affidavit that certifies there are reasonable grounds for the case, based on the opinion of a qualified health care provider.
What to Look For in a Medical Negligence Attorney
Choosing a medical negligence attorney can be overwhelming for parents, even with the time afforded by Missouri’s extended statute of limitations for child injury cases. Hundreds of practices are available in Kansas City to serve parents and children through a child injury case. How do you choose the right medical negligence attorney? Understanding how to identify a skillful and experienced attorney can help parents have peace of mind about their decisions.
Qualifications and Case Results
One of the first items to evaluate when choosing a medical negligence attorney is to review their legal qualifications and case results. This may include Avvo ratings, recognition from authoritative legal organizations, and years of experience. Attorneys who have been practicing for a long time may have unique insight from previous cases. Additionally, reviewing similar cases that a law firm has won in the past may provide insight into the skill and experience of attorneys at the firm.
Reviews and Testimonials
Google reviews and client testimonials are also effective methods of finding a skillful medical negligence attorney. Past clients are often encouraged, but not required to review their experience with the attorney honestly. Hearing confirmation from real people can help boost a parent’s confidence in a medical malpractice attorney.
Personal Connection
However, while legal qualifications and client testimonials can be encouraging, they are no replacement for actually speaking with an attorney. A real personal connection is much more difficult to falsify than an accolade on a website. Knowing that you have an attentive and invested medical negligence attorney helps provide the confidence that you will be informed of important information and kept in the loop about the progress of your case. Dickerson Oxton, run by a husband and wife attorney duo, offers personalized care and intentionality in their family-centric approach.
Contact a Medical Negligence Attorney from Dickerson Oxton Today
Child injury cases can involve birth injuries, surgical errors, anesthesia mistakes, misdiagnoses, and other mistakes that do not meet the expected standard of care. Understanding the nuances of medical malpractice laws in Kansas City can help concerned parents find the right medical negligence attorney for their case. Consider scheduling a free consultation with Dickerson Oxton today at (816) 542-6599 to learn what a medical malpractice attorney can bring to your child injury case.
Essential FAQs About Child Injury Lawsuits in Kansas City
The following frequently asked questions address common issues related to choosing a medical negligence attorney for a child injury case.
What Is Medical Negligence In A Child Injury Case?
Medical negligence involves an act or omission by a medical professional that fails to meet the accepted standard of care and results in harm. In child injury cases, this may include errors in diagnosis, treatment, surgery, or post-treatment monitoring.
How Does Medical Negligence Differ From Medical Malpractice?
Medical negligence typically refers to mistakes caused by oversight or failure to follow established standards of care. Medical malpractice generally involves situations where known risks exist, and professional judgment or knowledge plays a central role in the error.
Are Child Injury Medical Negligence Cases Different From Adult Cases?
Yes, child injury cases often involve different legal considerations, including extended statutes of limitations. Missouri law allows additional time to bring claims on behalf of minors compared to standard personal injury cases.
What Is The Statute Of Limitations For Child Medical Negligence In Missouri?
Medical negligence claims against medical service providers are generally subject to a two-year limitation period. For injured minors, this period typically does not begin until the child turns eighteen, allowing claims to be filed before the child’s twentieth birthday.
Are There Special Filing Requirements For Medical Negligence Lawsuits?
Missouri law requires plaintiffs to submit an affidavit stating that a qualified health care provider has determined reasonable grounds exist for the claim. This requirement reflects the technical nature of medical negligence cases.
Why Does Jurisdiction Matter In Kansas City Child Injury Cases?
Kansas City spans both Missouri and Kansas, and the applicable statutes may vary depending on where the alleged negligence occurred. Determining which state’s laws apply can affect deadlines, procedures, and legal standards.
What Factors Should Parents Consider When Choosing A Medical Negligence Attorney?
Parents often review an attorney’s experience, familiarity with medical negligence law, and history with similar cases. Client reviews and direct communication with an attorney may also help families assess whether an attorney is a good fit.
How Can Dickerson Oxton Assist With A Child Medical Negligence Case?
The team at Dickerson Oxton works to ensure families understand applicable laws, procedural requirements, and potential legal paths in child injury medical negligence matters. Consider visiting with an experienced attorney at Dickerson Oxton to learn more about available legal options.