If there is a problem with the placenta during pregnancy, and your doctor fails to detect and treat it, your baby could suffer significant medical issues before and after birth. Getting a prompt and accurate diagnosis is key to a favorable outcome. If your infant suffered preventable complications because of your doctor’s actions or inaction, you may have a viable medical malpractice case.
To learn more about your legal options, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at 1-800-222-9529 and connect with a lawyer near you today. A birth injury lawyer in your state can offer a free case review, explain liability and all applicable deadlines, and pursue the damages you deserve.
Placental Birth Injuries Lawsuits & Injury Cases
Doctors must monitor mothers and their babies throughout pregnancy, watching for any signs of complications and taking swift action if any problems develop. The health of the placenta is a key part of this process, so it is imperative that the doctor keeps a watchful eye on it. When a problem occurs, the doctor must provide an acceptable standard of care, including giving prompt and adequate treatment. Failure to do so is medical negligence.
If your newborn suffered birth injuries because of a doctor’s negligence, you may be able to hold the doctor or hospital liable and recover damages that include medical bills, ongoing care costs, and pain and suffering. Your attorney can help you determine the deadlines that apply in your case.
Proving a placental birth injury case usually requires identifying and enlisting the help of a medical expert witness who will testify to the acceptable standard of care.
Placental Birth Injuries Types
There are several types of issues with the placenta that can become life-threatening or life-altering for the mother, the baby, or both. This includes:
- Placental Abruption
- Placenta Previa
- Placental Insufficiency
Placental Birth Injuries Causes
Each type of problem with the placenta has its own causes and symptoms. This includes:
Placental Abruption occurs because of:
- Advanced maternal age
- Maternal infections
- Smoking during pregnancy
- Maternal high blood pressure
- Previous pregnancies with placental abruption
Placenta previa risk factors include:
- Previous births
- Previous uterine surgery, including Cesarean (C-section) sections, uterine fibroid removal, or dilation and curettage
- Placenta previa with a previous pregnancy
- Pregnancy with twins or other multiples
- Advanced maternal age
- Smoking while pregnant
- Cocaine use while pregnant
Placental insufficiency causes and risk factors include:
- Maternal high blood pressure
- Gestational diabetes
- Smoking while pregnant
- Maternal blood disorders
Placental Birth Injuries Symptoms
Signs there may be something wrong with the placenta include:
- Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Uterine contractions at the wrong time or that do not relax
- Blood in the amniotic fluid during labor
- Feeling light-headed and weak
- Not feeling the baby move as much they did earlier in the pregnancy
Once the baby is born, the doctor should evaluate them to see if a problem with the placenta caused birth injuries. The severity and type of injury vary by diagnosis.
Placental abruption can cause serious, life-long medical conditions if the baby survives. Premature births are common since immediate delivery is necessary. Signs of cerebral palsy, cognitive disorders, and developmental disorders may appear as the child grows.
Placenta previa, when left untreated, can cause:
- Oxygen deprivation
- Low birth weight
Placental insufficiency, if not treated, can cause:
- Low birth weight and small size
- Cerebral palsy
- Cognitive disabilities
- Developmental delays
- Infant neurological impairment
Placental Birth Injuries Diagnosis and Treatment
In most cases, issues with the placenta should be recognized during an ultrasound and exam. Mothers usually either require bed rest and close monitoring or emergency delivery, depending on the nature and severity of the issue.
Babies who are born after a problem with the placenta may require additional support, emergency treatment, or lifelong care. Your doctor should assess your newborn immediately after birth to determine the type of birth injuries they suffered and what treatment is best based on their needs.
Placental Birth Injuries Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my baby has placental birth injuries?
You will likely experience symptoms of a problem with the placenta during pregnancy, but if your doctor fails to diagnose you or misdiagnoses the issue, you may not know your child is at risk. In infancy, your baby may have cerebral palsy or miss developmental milestones. In many cases, you may not be aware of a cognitive disability until they reach school age and fall behind their peers.
Can placental birth injuries be fatal?
Problems with the placenta can be life-threatening for both mother and baby. The infant, especially, is at risk. The placenta supplies nutrients to the developing fetus, as well as transfers blood and oxygen between the mother and baby. When issues arise, they can threaten the baby’s oxygen supply. Immediate delivery is sometimes necessary.
Who is liable for placental birth injuries?
Who is liable for your infant’s placental birth injuries depends on the facts of your case. Your attorney can help you identify the liable parties, often the doctor monitoring your pregnancy, another physician, and/or the clinic or hospital.
What is the statute of limitations for placental birth injuries?
The deadline for pursuing damages in a placental birth injury case depends on where you live and the laws in your state. Your attorney will explain the statute of limitations and statute of repose in your state. You may have options even if the statute of limitations has expired. Many states toll the statute of limitations when the victim of medical malpractice is a minor.
What is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia happens in about seven percent of all pregnancies, but it can have serious health consequences for both mother and baby. There are effective diagnostic tools and treatments for women who are at risk for high blood pressure during pregnancy.
However, a careless medical provider may not recognize the symptoms or may not act quickly to prevent a birth injury. If this happened to your family, you could be entitled to compensation for damages that include medical bills and pain and suffering.
How does preeclampsia lead to brain injuries in newborns?
Preeclampsia can lead to brain injuries in newborns. When a pregnant woman has high blood pressure, the baby can experience a reduction in blood flow through the placenta. This means less oxygen and fewer nutrients reach the developing brain, and the baby may suffer brain injuries. This type of brain injury can cause physical and cognitive impairments that the child must deal with throughout their lifetime.
Preeclampsia can be extremely dangerous for both the mother and the child. Because of the critical danger, it is imperative that the doctor monitoring the pregnancy recognizes, diagnoses, and controls the symptoms as quickly as possible. Severe complications, including an increased risk of placental abruption, could be life-threatening for both mom and baby.
Understanding Preeclampsia and How It Causes Brain Injuries
When a pregnant woman develops high blood pressure, and it continues long enough to cause other medical problems, they will likely be diagnosed with preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is fairly common, although it is usually mild. About one out of every 20 women will develop high blood pressure during pregnancy. It can be very mild, very severe, or anywhere in between. It is generally manageable.
When the doctor fails to diagnose preeclampsia, does not prescribe an accurate treatment, does not monitor it closely, or if the case is particularly severe, dangerous complications are possible for both mom and child. The condition can even be deadly in some cases if not addressed promptly.
Placental Birth Injuries Glossary Terms
- What is Abrupted Placenta? An abrupted placenta has torn away from the uterine wall during pregnancy.
- What is Placental Insufficiency? Placental insufficiency occurs when the placenta is unable to supply adequate nutrients, blood, and oxygen to the developing fetus.
- What is Placenta Previa? Placenta previa occurs when the placenta attaches in the uterus too low, covering all or part of the cervix.
Talk to a Placental Birth Injuries Attorney About Your Case Today
If there were complications related to the placenta during pregnancy, and your doctor failed to recognize and treat the symptoms, you may have a valid medical malpractice case. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at 1-800-222-9529 to connect with an attorney in your state for a free consultation.
Placenta Previa Lawyer
If your medical provider failed to recognize the warning signs of placenta previa, your family could be entitled to compensation. Placenta previa can lead to premature birth or miscarriage. A birth injury lawyer will hold a negligent medical professional or facility accountable.
For a free case review with a birth injury lawyer for placenta previa in your state, please fill out the form on this page or call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 261-9292. There are statutes of limitations for each state, so please act quickly to protect your legal rights.
WHEN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FAIL TO DIAGNOSE PLACENTA PREVIA
In most pregnancies, the placenta normally grows at either the top or the side of the uterus to give a growing fetus the nutrients and oxygen it needs. After the baby is born, the placenta passes through the birth canal in a vaginal delivery or is surgically removed after a C-section.
Placenta previa occurs when the placenta fully or partially blocks the mother’s cervix and the birth canal, the outlet for the uterus. Medical professionals can identify placenta previa because it causes severe bleeding during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Undiagnosed placenta previa can result in premature birth, which has complications of its own.
HOW A BIRTH INJURY LAWYER HELPS YOUR FAMILY
A birth injury lawyer for placenta previa can determine if medical negligence contributed to your incident of placenta previa.
This determination may include a thorough evaluation of the circumstances of your baby’s perinatal and neonatal health, including:
- Medical reports and test results, including ultrasounds and fetal heart rate monitor
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony on placenta previa
- Expectant mother’s health and medical records during pregnancy
Your family could be entitled to compensation if a lawyer proves that it is more likely than not that medical error contributed to the placenta previa.
For a free case review, please fill out the form on this page or call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 261-9292.
YOUR LEGAL RIGHT TO SEEK COMPENSATION
Medical professionals and facilities owe patients a standard of care that includes accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment. If a doctor or healthcare professional fails to recognize placenta previa and caused your baby to pass away or to be born prematurely, you have the right to pursue compensation.
Compensation for a preventable birth injury may include:
- Medical costs
- Lost pay
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages
LET US HOLD A NEGLIGENT MEDICAL PROVIDER ACCOUNTABLE
A birth injury lawyer will pursue compensation if a medical error caused your family physical, emotional, and financial suffering. Sometimes the most effective way to shine a light on medical negligence is with legal action.
For a free case review with a birth injury lawyer for placenta previa in your state, please complete the form on this page or call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 261-9292.
What Is Placenta Previa?
During your pregnancy, the placenta connects you to your baby via the umbilical cord and provides oxygen and nutrition to your unborn child. It also safely removes waste through its attachment to the top or side of the uterus. In cases of placenta previa, the placenta partially or completely covers the mother’s cervix, the outlet for the uterus.
If you experience C-section may be required for the safe delivery of your baby.
One of the biggest risks of placenta previa is severe bleeding that can threaten the life of you and your baby. Severe cases may also lead to premature delivery before many of your baby’s organs have had a chance to fully develop, which can impact their continued health and growth.
BIRTH INJURY LAWSUIT
If an undiagnosed, untreated, or improperly managed placenta previa led to pregnancy complications, you may be able to file a lawsuit to help recover the costs of current and ongoing medical expenses.
Placental Abruption Lawyer
A birth injury lawyer helps clients whose lives have been affected by preventable birth injuries and disorders. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group is a nationwide network of attorneys who are dedicated to recovering compensation for victims of medical negligence. Please fill out the form on this page or call (800) 261-9292 for a free consultation with a birth injury lawyer for placental abruption in your state.
UNDERSTANDING PLACENTAL ABRUPTION
A fetus cannot survive without the placenta’s steady supply of nutrients and oxygen. Placental abruption occurs when the placenta partially or completely detaches from the inner wall of the uterus before childbirth. This abrupt disconnect usually occurs late in the pregnancy. The symptoms of placental abruption are sudden abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and contractions. It requires immediate medical care.
Any separation of the placenta for any amount of time can lead to dangerously low levels of oxygen and nutrients. If this occurs, your baby may have brain damage or other conditions related to placental abruption. In some cases, the baby does not survive.
PLACENTAL ABRUPTION CAUSED BY MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
Placental abruption is usually diagnosed with an ultrasound, according to Radiopaedia. Diagnosing placental abruption should be part of the expected standard of care for pregnant women. Unfortunately, some medical professionals fail to recognize these symptoms, threatening the lives and health of mother and baby.
If your baby suffered from placental abruption caused by a careless medical professional or facility, your family could be entitled to compensation. Contact the Birth Injury Lawyers Group. A birth injury lawyer for placental abruption in your state will review your case for free when you fill out the form on this page or call (800) 261-9292.
A BIRTH INJURY LAWYER WILL SEEK THE COMPENSATION YOU DESERVE
No family should endure a preventable birth injury because of an incompetent or careless doctor or medical professional. A birth injury lawyer will pursue compensation for your damages, which may include:
- Medical expenses for mother and baby
- Lifecare costs that may include extensive neonatal care, physical and occupational therapy, assistive medical devices, and counseling
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential to provide childcare
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
There are readily available prenatal tools that can prevent and diagnose placental abruption. A careful medical provider will look for the symptoms of this condition and take proper, responsive action to protect both mother and baby. A birth injury lawyer holds negligent medical providers accountable.
CALL TO CONNECT WITH A BIRTH INJURY LAWYER IN YOUR STATE
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group is ready to help you seek the compensation you deserve. Each state has its own statute of limitations, so please call (800) 261-9292 today for a free consultation with a birth injury lawyer for placental abruption in your state or complete the form on this page.
What is Placental Abruption?
During your pregnancy, the placenta supplies critical food and oxygen to your baby. C-section.
Placental abruption can threaten your life and the life of your unborn child. It can lead to blood loss and shock, necessitate a blood transfusion and cause kidney failure. In severe cases, a hysterectomy may be required. In your newborn, placental abruption can result in limited growth due to the lack of vital nutrients, oxygen deprivation, and premature birth. Severe cases may even result in a stillborn child.
BIRTH INJURY LAWSUIT
Placental abruption is a life-threatening pregnancy complication that can lead to serious consequences for you and your child. If your infant was born prematurely or if you were forced to undergo a hysterectomy, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties.