Most pregnancies and deliveries proceed smoothly, and families go home with healthy infants every single day. Unfortunately, problems occasionally arise during pregnancy or labor, which can result in severe complications for the mother or baby. One of the most devastating types of birth injuries is a placental abruption because both mothers and babies can experience life-threatening or fatal consequences.
When you or your loved one experiences a placental abruption, it is normal to have a great deal of questions. A knowledgeable Upper Marlboro placental abruption lawyer can investigate what happened to your baby and help determine your legal options for claims against the medical provider who treated you during your pregnancy or delivery.
What Is a Placental Abruption and Why Is it Dangerous?
The placenta delivers both oxygen and nutrients to the baby during pregnancy. A placental abruption happens when the placental detaches itself from the inner uterine wall before a baby is delivered. The separation can be partial—where a baby’s supply of oxygen and nutrients is sharply decreased—or complete—where the baby’s supply of oxygen and nutrients is stopped. When the baby does not get enough oxygen, they can experience brain damage.
A placental abruption can also lead to:
- Respiratory problems
- Feeding problems
- Low blood count
- Preterm delivery
- Stillbirth
Additionally, the mother can also be at risk of experiencing severe injuries, such as hemorrhaging, blood clots, kidney failure, or shock. Some mothers need to undergo hysterectomies if their heavy bleeding will not stop.
A compassionate attorney in Upper Marlboro can help families pursue a settlement or damages award that will allow them to rebuild their lives after suffering a placental abruption.
When Can You File a Lawsuit for a Placental Abruption?
Experiencing a placental abruption does not automatically give a patient the right to file a birth injury claim. A claimant must first prove that another doctor with a similar background and training, facing a similar situation, could have diagnosed and treated the patient or baby in a way that avoided injury.
Obstetricians and midwives are supposed to monitor a pregnancy to make sure everything progresses normally. While they often cannot prevent cases of placental abruption, they should be able to recognize common signs that abruption may occur, such as:
- A patient has an infection
- A patient is over 40 years old
- A fetus has an abnormal heart rate
- A patient’s water breaks prematurely
- A patient has high blood pressure or preeclampsia
- A patient is carrying twins or higher-order gestations
- A patient experienced an abruption in a prior pregnancy
- A patient experiences vaginal bleeding, back pain, or early contractions
- A patient experiences blunt trauma, such as from falling or being in a motor vehicle crash
When a patient has one or more of the above risk factors, their doctors should monitor them closely. If a patient has experienced a partial abruption, the doctors might be able to prolong the pregnancy by admitting them to the hospital on bed rest and constant monitoring. During a complete abruption, doctors might be able to perform an emergency C-section to save the baby and help the mother. A dedicated Upper Marlboro lawyer can consult with medical experts to determine if there was an actionable level of negligence.
Talk to an Upper Marlboro Placental Abruption Attorney About Your Case
Placental abruptions can have life-altering consequences, but oftentimes, they can be prevented. If you believe your obstetrician or hospital acted negligently by failing to diagnose or treat your abruption, you may have grounds to take legal action. Talk to an Upper Marlboro placental abruption lawyer about pursuing compensation for your medical costs, emotional trauma, and other losses. Call Price Benowitz to schedule a consultation today.
