The vast majority of pregnancies proceed smoothly and result in the births of healthy babies. But when something does go wrong in a pregnancy, patients should be able to rely on their obstetrician, midwife, or medical team to spot the problem and offer a reasonable solution. Competent doctors should be able to screen and treat patients for common pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia.
If your doctor failed to recognize that you suffered from preeclampsia and you or your baby suffered dire health consequences, you have legal options. A Danbury preeclampsia lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve from a negligent provider and seek justice for your family. The dedicated birth injury attorneys at Berkowitz Hanna are ready to get to work for you.
Preeclampsia occurs when a pregnant patient suddenly develops high blood pressure. Expectant mothers with this common condition often experience sudden weight gain, swollen hands and feet, painful headaches, and shortness of breath. The symptoms of preeclampsia usually start to appear after the midpoint of pregnancy. Because the condition is so common, most doctors’ offices screen patients for preeclampsia at every obstetrical checkup. Medical workers can diagnose the condition by taking their patient’s blood pressure and checking for excessive protein levels in the expectant mother’s urine.
In most cases, the only real cure for preeclampsia is to deliver the baby. However, if a doctor recognizes the symptoms of preeclampsia, they can try to manage the condition during the pregnancy. Doctors often require patients to monitor their blood pressure at home and stay on bed rest. They might also ask them to change their diet and take blood pressure medication. If the preventive measures do not work, a doctor might need to order an immediate c-section to protect the health of the mother and baby, even if the baby is premature.
The experienced attorneys at Berkowitz Hanna have helped families who have suffered devastating injuries and losses due to preeclampsia navigate the complexities and challenges of a legal claim. Our compassionate legal team understands how traumatic birth injuries and pregnancy loss can be and will work to minimize the family’s trauma during the legal process.
While any pregnant woman can develop preeclampsia, the odds are higher if they have the following risk factors:
Other health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, polycystic ovaries, lupus, kidney disease, sickle cell disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, can also put a mother at a higher risk of developing preeclampsia.
Medical staff who work with pregnant women should know to watch for certain risk factors and signs in order to minimize the risks of a mother or baby suffering harm from preeclampsia. When a hospital fails to recognize the symptoms of preeclampsia and a family suffers losses, a dedicated Danbury lawyer can pursue fair compensation.
Undiagnosed or untreated preeclampsia can cause both a mother and child to suffer. The condition could turn into eclampsia, and the mother could develop kidney or liver failure or suffer a seizure or stroke. Preeclampsia also raises the risk of placental abruption. Additionally, an unborn baby could suffer from restricted blood flow and could suffer a brain injury from lack of oxygen. With proper treatment and monitoring, doctors can often manage the condition and help patients deliver healthy babies.
If you believe your doctor mishandled your preeclampsia, you might be facing immediate medical bills and long-term future health consequences in addition to the emotional trauma that you have endured. A Danbury preeclampsia lawyer can help you get the payments that you need to move forward. Contact us today to get started.
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