Preeclampsia is a pregnancy condition characterized by sustained high blood pressure exceeding 140/90 and the presence of protein in the urine. Oftentimes signs of preeclampsia are shortness of breath and edema, or swelling in the face, legs, hands, and feet. However, not all preeclampsia patients exhibit the same signs of the condition. Preeclampsia is a dangerous condition that often leads to a serious birth injury to the baby. It is also the leading cause of death among pregnant women. However, if preeclampsia is diagnosed and the medical staff responds to it appropriately, the risk of injury to the baby or mother can be minimized. Unfortunately, on far too many occasions doctors do not recognize the signs of preeclampsia. Just like other pregnancy-related injuries and birth injuries such as a brain injury, cerebral Palsy, Erbs Palsy, brachial plexus, and a spinal cord injury, serious complications related to preeclampsia often result from the negligence of a medical professional. In other words, such injuries often could have been avoided. If you or your baby suffered a serious injury as a result of a misdiagnosis or failure to properly treat preeclampsia, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced Queens preeclampsia injury lawyer who will help you pursue compensation for your injuries and your child’s injuries through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Who is at risk for preeclampsia?Doctors and other medical professionals should be on the lookout for symptoms of preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications. While any pregnant woman may develop preeclampsia, certain women are more likely to develop preeclampsia than others. Such women include those who:
Common symptoms of preeclampsia include:
Obstetricians and other medical professionals should understand the risks and signs of preeclampsia, monitor the mother and baby, and take measures to minimize the effects on both the mother and the baby. If they fail to do so and as a result the mother or baby suffers a serious injury, then the medical professional responsible may have committed medical malpractice.
What complications are associated with preeclampsia?Preeclampsia is a serious and potentially dangerous condition to both mother and baby. Preeclampsia can lead to reduced blood flow to the placenta. As a result, the baby could suffer:
The “cure” for preeclampsia is the delivery of the baby. Thus, oftentimes when the case of preeclampsia is severe labor is induced or an emergency cesarean is performed. If, however, the pregnancy is not far enough along for delivery and the preeclampsia is not severe, then other treatments are available such as bed rest, antihypertensive medication, fetal monitoring, magnesium injections, and anti-seizure medications.
If my doctor did not properly treat my preeclampsia, may I pursue damages?If your doctor failed to properly diagnose and treat preeclampsia and as a result you or your baby suffered an injury, New York law allows you to hold that doctor and other medical professionals liable through a medical malpractice claim.
Both you and your child may pursue compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity and pain and suffering. In addition, if your child has permanent disabilities, he or she may also be entitled to receive social security disability benefits.
If your baby or your loved one passed away as a result of a medical mistake, you may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesIf you are your baby were harmed because your doctor failed to diagnose or properly treat preeclampsia, do not hesitate to immediately contact an experienced birth injury attorney. Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling claims from people injured due to the mistake of doctors, nurses, midwives, hospitals, and other healthcare workers. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.