Women who suffer dangerously high blood pressure during pregnancy are at risk of significant complications, as are their babies. Pregnancy-related hypertension, also known as preeclampsia, could cause debilitating injury and even death to the mother and baby.
A doctor might have been negligent if he or she failed to diagnose preeclampsia or did not catch it early despite a mother’s symptoms. A mother could bring a medical malpractice lawsuit seeking compensation for the impact preeclampsia had on her health. If the baby suffered ill effects from preeclampsia, a parent could sue on the infant’s behalf. If either the mother or baby died, the family could bring a wrongful death lawsuit.
A preeclampsia lawyer can review a specific situation and determine whether grounds exist to bring a lawsuit against a healthcare provider. If so, the family could receive reimbursement for the injuries to the mother and baby. A seasoned medical misconduct attorney at Tittle & Perlmuter is ready to help a family heal.
Signs and Symptoms of Preeclampsia
Many women experience heightened blood pressure when pregnant, and doctors must monitor blood pressure changes closely. This is especially important if the mother has one or more common preeclampsia risk factors, such as first pregnancy, preeclampsia in previous pregnancies, obesity, diabetes Type 1 or 2, a family history of high blood pressure, and other factors.
Most women at risk of developing preeclampsia experience symptoms that a medical professional should investigate promptly. Common symptoms include:
- Spiking blood pressure
- Headaches and blurred vision
- Vomiting and nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
A pregnant woman experiencing these symptoms should report them to her healthcare provider immediately. The practitioner should run tests to investigate whether the woman is developing preeclampsia. High platelet counts and protein in the urine are some signs that a woman might be developing preeclampsia.
Doctors typically treat mild cases of preeclampsia with bed rest and medication. Often, they choose to induce labor early. In more severe cases, a medical team hospitalizes the mother for 24/7 monitoring. Premature delivery is typical for mothers with severe preeclampsia. A lawyer can help an individual determine if a doctor missed signs of preeclampsia, leading to severe harm.
Impact of Untreated Preeclampsia
Significantly elevated blood pressure in an expectant mother is an urgent medical condition, and healthcare professionals must respond accordingly. A physician who fails to investigate when a pregnant woman presents with symptoms or does not conduct proper follow-up could be liable for the consequences.
Preeclampsia can have a severe impact on mothers and babies. For mothers, preeclampsia could lead to:
- Eclampsia, which causes seizures that could lead to permanent brain injury
- HELPP Syndrome, a condition that could be fatal to mother and child
- Kidney failure
- Placental abruption leading to shock and other complications of extreme blood loss, including death
Babies of mothers with preeclampsia are often premature and at greater risk of blindness, deafness, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. They also could suffer from a lack of oxygen in the womb, leading to brain damage and death.
In consultation with a medical expert in high-risk pregnancies and births, an attorney could determine whether the mother received appropriate and timely treatment for preeclampsia by reviewing prenatal and birth records. If not, a patient could file a lawsuit against the negligent medical professionals.
Preeclampsia Medical Misconduct Lawsuit Process
When a patient sues a medical professional for malpractice, they must submit an Affidavit of Merit when filing the lawsuit. An expert in the same field as the professional must complete the Affidavit, confirming that he or she reviewed the patient’s medical records and agrees that a defendant did not provide an appropriate standard of care.
In a preeclampsia case, the mother and baby might each have claims against several medical professionals. A preeclampsia lawyer could require several Affidavits to confirm that different aspects of the care the mother and child received were inadequate.
The law allows a limited time to bring a lawsuit alleging medical negligence. Ohio Revised Code §2305.113 allows a patient only one year from the injury to file a lawsuit against negligent healthcare providers. Seeking legal advice as soon as possible after birth is the best strategy.
