(845) 303-1000Advancements in medical science, technology, and general practices have substantially reduced both infant mortality overall and the unique risks that the process of childbirth may pose to mother and child. However, there are still many complications that can cause serious and life-threatening harm to a pregnant woman or fetus. These are all things which a qualified physician should be able to promptly identify and treat.
As a seasoned birth injury attorney could explain, a doctor who fails to identify a dangerous condition like a placental abruption could be legally liable for any physical, financial, and personal harm that a patient suffers because of their misconduct. If you or your child suffered harm from this condition and you suspect a physician’s negligence caused it, you should make contacting an Albany placental abruption lawyer to discuss your legal options a top priority.
What Is a Placental Abruption?
Abruption is a medical term that refers to a body part separating unnaturally from another part, so a placental abruption occurs when the placenta prematurely detaches from the uterine wall during pregnancy. A placental abruption can be partial or complete, depending on how much of the placenta separates from the uterus, and physicians categorize it as “revealed” or “concealed” based on the amount of vaginal bleeding it causes.
In addition to bleeding, identifiable symptoms of a placental abruption may include:
- Uterine tenderness
- Contractions that are more intense and last longer than typical contractions during labor
- Pain in the abdomen and/or back
- Decreased movement from the fetus
This type of condition occurs in about one percent of pregnancies, typically in the third trimester but sometimes as early as 20 weeks. Mothers who are older than 35 years old, have a history of smoking or other drug use, have high blood pressure, and/or sustain abdominal trauma or injury while pregnant are considered at higher risk of suffering placental abruptions, as a seasoned Albany attorney could affirm.
Holding an Albany Physician Liable for a Placental Abruption
Placental abruptions do not typically stem directly from a doctor’s reckless or careless act in the same way that a surgical error or an injury to an infant during childbirth might. However, physicians who care for pregnant women are expected to recognize the signs of a possible placental abruption, accurately diagnose the condition if it arises, and take prompt corrective action to minimize harm to the mother and child.
A doctor who misdiagnoses a placental abruption as another condition, incorrectly assumes nothing is actually wrong, or ignores a pregnant woman’s complaints of pain or other symptoms may have violated the standard of care. This means they failed to act the way that an equally qualified and experienced physician likely would have under identical or similar circumstances. A placental abruption lawyer in Albany could examine the circumstances surrounding this sort of injury and provide guidance about whether legal action may be appropriate.
Learn How an Albany Placental Abruption Attorney Could Help
A doctor who allows a pregnant woman or her baby to suffer preventable harm from a placental abruption may hold financial liability for both economic and non-economic losses stemming from that condition. This often includes medical bills, lost work income, physical and psychological pain, and lost quality of life. However, recovering fairly and comprehensively for losses like this can be next to impossible without support from a malpractice attorney.
Working closely with an Albany placental abruption lawyer could make a huge difference in your likelihood of getting a positive case outcome. Call today to learn more.