The placenta is an organ that develops in your uterus during pregnancy. It provides the baby with oxygen and nutrients and filters waste from the baby’s blood. The health of the placenta is important in ensuring the health of a baby. During the pregnancy, labor and delivery, complications can arise that could lead the baby to suffer a brain injury, respiratory problems, cerebral palsy, blindness, a spinal cord injury, developmental delays, or another other serious, life-altering personal injury. Placental abruption is one of the most serious, potential fatal pregnancy complications. Placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates from the uterus. It is up to the doctors and other members of the medical staff to closely monitor a pregnant woman in order to diagnose and quickly treat any problems. Otherwise the medical condition may get worse, causing the baby to suffer irreparable damage. In the same way that a victim of a car accident or some other type of serious accident can seek damages from the person who caused the accident, New York law allows victims of negligent medical professionals to seek damages as well. If your baby suffered a serious injury because a health care professional failed to properly diagnose or treat a placental abruption, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced Nassau County Placenta Abruption Injury Lawyer who will help you pursue compensation for your injuries and your child’s injuries through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Who is a Risk for Placental Abruption?When the placenta separates from the uterus, the fetus may be deprived of nutrients. This can lead to abnormal fetal growth, delayed development, premature birth and stillbirth. Symptoms of placental abruption include vaginal bleeding, uterine or abdominal pain, contractions and abnormal fetal heart rate.
Those at a higher risk for placental abruption include those who have suffered trauma to the abdominal area. For example, if you fell, were in a car accident, or were assaulted and there was trauma to your abdominal area, you are at risk for placental abruption. In addition, those who have high blood pressure or blood-clotting disorders, those who are over 40, cocaine users and those carrying more than one baby are at a higher risk for placental abruption. Obstetricians should closely monitor those who present such risk factors and perform tests to determine if there is a problem with the placenta.
What is the Treatment for a Placental Abruption?While a placenta cannot be reattached, there are steps that your doctor can take to minimize complications from the placental abruption. For example, if you are not near term and the fetus does not appear to be in distress your doctor may put you on bed rest. If you are near term, your doctor may admit you to the hospital for close monitor, or the doctor may recommend that you deliver the baby via cesarean. Failure of the doctor to appropriate treat the condition could result in both you and your baby suffering serious injuries.
Pursuing CompensationMedical malpractice occurs when a medical professional such as an obstetrician, nurse, or other healthcare professional fails to take reasonable care and as a result the patient suffers an injury. Thus, if you have risk factors for placental abruption and your doctor fails to monitor you, or if you suffer a placental abruption and your doctor fails to properly treat you, New York law allows you to hold that doctor and other medical professionals legally and financially liable for any injuries that result from their negligence.
Medical expenses. The negligent party may be required to compensate you for your baby’s medical bills related to the injuries suffered because of the medical mistake. Examples of compensable medical expenses include emergency room treatment, hospital stays, visits to the doctor, rehabilitation, developmental and physical therapy, medical equipment and prescriptions.
Pain and suffering. The court may also award damages based on the physical and mental anguish you experienced from your injuries and recovery.
Wrongful death. If as a result of a medical error your newborn baby did not survive, you may hold the negligent medical staff accountable through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Nassau County Placenta Abruption Injury LawyerIf you suspect that you or your baby was injured because your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional failed to properly treat your placental abruption, do not hesitate to immediately contact someone with experience. The staff at Stephen Bilkis and Associates is experienced in successfully representing clients and families of clients who have suffered injuries due to mistakes made by medical professionals, as well as those injured in car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents, and other types of accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case.