Wagner Reese offers comprehensive legal representation for prenatal conditions that lead to birth injuries. Our firm is dedicated to securing justice and compensation for affected families, ensuring that their rights are protected during such challenging times.
With extensive experience in navigating the legal intricacies of medical malpractice, our skilled attorneys provide the support needed to achieve the best outcomes for our clients. We understand the impact that placental abruption can have on families, and we advocate for you with compassion and diligence.
What Is Placental Abruption and How Does It Affect Birth?
Placental abruption is a serious pregnancy complication that occurs when the placenta partially or completely detaches from the uterine wall before childbirth. The placenta is a vital organ that provides oxygen and nutrients to the growing fetus while removing waste products. When placental abruption occurs, this connection is disrupted, leading to risks for both the mother and the baby.
Fetal Complications
The detachment of the placenta can reduce or cut off the baby’s oxygen supply, leading to fetal distress and, in severe cases, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a condition that can cause long-term neurological damage.
Placental abruption also often necessitates early delivery to protect the health of both the mother and the baby. Preterm infants face a range of health challenges, including respiratory distress syndrome, underdeveloped organs, and developmental delays.
Babies born after a placental abruption may have a low birth weight due to restricted growth and inadequate nutrient supply during pregnancy.
Maternal Complications
- Severe Bleeding: Placental abruption can cause heavy vaginal bleeding, putting the mother at risk for hemorrhage, which can be life-threatening if not promptly managed.
- Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC): This rare but serious condition involves widespread blood clotting throughout the body, leading to severe bleeding and organ damage.
- Shock: Blood loss can lead to maternal shock, a critical condition that requires immediate medical intervention.
Emergency Interventions
- Cesarean Section: In many cases, an emergency cesarean section is performed to deliver the baby quickly and manage the mother’s condition.
- Blood Transfusions: The mother may require blood transfusions to address severe blood loss and stabilize her condition.
Early diagnosis and prompt medical intervention are crucial to managing placental abruption and minimizing risks to both mother and baby. If medical negligence contributes to the mismanagement of placental abruption, resulting in birth injuries or complications, families may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
At Wagner Reese, our experienced attorneys provide comprehensive legal support to families affected by placental abruption, ensuring they receive the justice and birth injury compensation they deserve.
The Grounds for a Placental Abruption Lawsuit
Filing a lawsuit for placental abruption typically involves demonstrating that medical negligence directly contributed to the mismanagement of the condition, resulting in harm to the mother or baby.
Failure to Diagnose or Delayed Diagnosis
- Missed Symptoms: Healthcare providers may fail to recognize the signs and symptoms of placental abruption, such as vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, uterine tenderness, and fetal distress. Delayed or missed diagnosis can lead to severe complications.
- Inadequate Testing: Failure to perform necessary diagnostic tests, such as ultrasounds or fetal monitoring, can result in a delayed diagnosis, putting both mother and baby at risk.
Improper Management
- Delayed Intervention: Once diagnosed, placental abruption requires prompt medical intervention. Delays in providing appropriate treatment, such as performing an emergency cesarean section, can lead to harm.
- Inadequate Monitoring: Failure to continuously monitor the mother and baby during labor and delivery can result in missed signs of fetal distress or worsening maternal condition, leading to preventable complications.
Failure to Provide Appropriate Treatment
- Incorrect Treatment: Administering incorrect or insufficient treatment for placental abruption can exacerbate the condition. For example, not providing necessary blood transfusions or failing to stabilize the mother’s condition can lead to severe outcomes.
- Lack of Emergency Preparedness: Hospitals and medical staff must be prepared to handle obstetric emergencies. Inadequate preparation or lack of proper protocols can result in delayed or inappropriate responses to placental abruption.
Proving Medical Negligence
To successfully pursue a placental abruption lawsuit, plaintiffs must prove negligence. This entails demonstrating the following:
- Duty of Care: The healthcare provider owed a duty of care to the patient.
- Breach of Duty: The healthcare provider breached that duty by failing to meet the standard of care.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused harm to the mother or baby.
- Damages: The harm resulted in damages, such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Get Placental Abruption Legal Help From Wagner Reese
If you believe that medical negligence contributed to the mismanagement of placental abruption, resulting in birth injuries or complications, consulting with experienced attorneys at Wagner Reese can help you explore your legal options and seek the compensation you deserve. Contact one of our experienced lawyers today.
