A trial for involuntary manslaughter

Twelve years after the events, the doctor who examined the child was tried for involuntary manslaughter. In tears on the stand, he acknowledged his mistake and admitted that he “did not make the right decision”. His colleagues emphasized that it was a problem of judgment, an error unfortunately with serious consequences.

The prosecutor requested the doctor’s acquittal, but the final decision was made on February 5. This case divides opinion: some believe that the fault deserves an exemplary sanction, while others consider that it was a human error.

How to avoid such medical errors?

Faced with these tragedies, several measures could be put in place to reduce diagnostic errors:

• Always mention medical history:  When going to the emergency room, parents should insist on their child’s existing pathologies.
• Do not minimize unusual symptoms:  persistent vomiting, severe pain and great weakness should alert you and warrant a second medical opinion.
• Improve emergency care:  additional examinations (ultrasound, blood tests) should be considered in cases of acute abdominal pain.
• Training doctors in rare diseases:  certain diseases, although rare, must be better known by health professionals to avoid diagnostic errors with dramatic consequences.

This tragedy is a reminder of how a simple diagnosis can have irreversible consequences. As parents, it is essential to remain vigilant and not hesitate to request more in-depth examinations if in doubt.