Phoenix Preeclampsia Attorneys

Preeclampsia is an extremely dangerous condition that occurs in late pregnancy and can have dire consequences for both mother and baby. It affects between five and eight percent of pregnancies and is a leading cause of maternal and infant death and other debilitating health problems.

Preeclampsia can come on without a lot of warning. It may be characterized by:

• High blood pressure
• Protein in the urine
• Low blood platelet count
• Fluid in the lungs
• Excessive swelling
• Sudden weight gain
• Unusual headaches or visual problems
• Abdominal or shoulder pain

Preeclampsia must be diagnosed and treated quickly to prevent or mitigate the devastation that it can unleash. Competent prenatal care is essential to early diagnosis and treatment. If your doctor failed to diagnose or mismanaged preeclampsia, and you or your child suffered harm as a result, the Phoenix birth injury lawyers at Cullan & Cullan may be able to help. We can evaluate the circumstances surrounding your case to determine whether you have a claim, and we can take legal action on your behalf to hold the at-fault practitioner or facility accountable.

Find out more about your rights and options by calling (602) 900-9483. Your consultation with our Phoenix preeclampsia attorney is free!

Medical Malpractice Actions for Preeclampsia Injuries

A healthcare professional may be found liable for injuries and fatalities stemming from their medical errors. Licensed healthcare professionals and institutions owe a duty of care to their patients. Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor, hospital, or other healthcare professional fails to deliver a standard of care to a patient that another competent professional would provide, causing provable harm to their patient as a direct result of the breach of the standard of care and causing the patient to incur financial and quality-of-life damages.

Effects of Preeclampsia & Eclampsia on the Mother

Left untreated, preeclampsia can advance to the even more severe eclampsia. In the pregnant mother, it can cause:

• Liver failure
• Kidney failure
• Low blood volume
• Low platelets
• Blood clots
• Central nervous system damage
• Seizures
• Placental abruption
• Death

Effects of Preeclampsia & Eclampsia on the Baby

When preeclampsia occurs, it must be monitored closely and it is often necessary to deliver the baby as soon as possible. Complications that may occur during birth when the baby has been affected by preeclampsia include:

• Lack of blood flow to the placenta
• Premature birth
• Brain damage
• Birth asphyxia
• Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
• Cerebral palsy
• Seizures
• Developmental and intellectual disabilities
• Death

Who Is Responsible?

Preeclampsia is a fairly common complication of pregnancy, which shows up in more than one out of every twenty pregnant women after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Anyone working in the medical field of obstetrics must be familiar with the condition and must examine their patients regularly in late pregnancy, performing the essential tests that would indicate preeclampsia so that it can be diagnosed at its earliest stages.

These tests include:

• Regular monitoring of the mother’s blood pressure
• Blood tests
• Urinalysis
• Fetal ultrasound

These tests are routine for women in late pregnancy. In addition, the doctor or midwife should have open communication with the mother-to-be, and should be alert to other physical symptoms, such as unusual swelling, rapid weight gain beyond what would be expected, headaches, blurred vision, and other signs that all may not be well.

If a doctor, nurse-midwife, or other obstetrical professional fails to detect, diagnose, and treat preeclampsia, the mother, baby, and family may have a cause of action for medical malpractice to recover monetary compensation for their damages. Any failure to perform routine screenings or to follow up with additional testing to rule out or confirm a diagnosis of preeclampsia will usually be considered as a breach of the standard of care that an obstetrical patient in Arizona is owed by her doctor or midwife, and could be indicative of medical malpractice.

What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Preeclampsia Injury Claim?

Here are some key types of damages that may be pursued:

Medical Expenses

Medical expenses are one of the primary categories of damages in a preeclampsia injury claim. These can include:

• Emergency Care Costs: Immediate medical intervention is required for severe preeclampsia or eclampsia.
• Hospitalization Fees: Costs related to extended hospital stays for both the mother and the baby.
• Surgical Expenses: Charges for necessary surgeries such as cesarean sections or other procedures to manage complications.
• Long-Term Care: Ongoing medical treatments and therapies are needed due to the complications caused by preeclampsia.

Pain and Suffering

Preeclampsia can cause significant physical pain and emotional distress. Compensation for pain and suffering may include:

• Physical Pain: Compensation for the chronic pain and discomfort experienced due to the complications of preeclampsia.
• Emotional Distress: Damages for the emotional trauma and psychological impact, including anxiety, depression, and emotional suffering resulting from the condition and its effects on the family.

Lost Wages

If preeclampsia has led to a prolonged inability to work, either for the mother or her partner, lost wages can be a significant component of the claim. This can include:

• Income Loss: Wages lost due to the need for medical care, recovery time, or caregiving responsibilities.
• Future Earnings: Potential loss of future income if the complications have led to long-term or permanent disability.

Permanent Disability or Impairment

In cases where preeclampsia leads to long-term or permanent disability, compensation can address:

• Reduced Quality of Life: Compensation for diminished life quality and daily functioning due to ongoing health issues.
• Permanent Impairments: Damages for any lasting physical or mental impairments resulting from the condition or its complications.

Loss of Consortium

Loss of consortium damages may be applicable if preeclampsia has impacted the relationship between spouses. This can cover:

• Loss of Companionship: Compensation for the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy resulting from the health complications.
• Impact on Family Life: Damages for the overall disruption to family dynamics and relationships due to the medical condition.

Punitive Damages

In cases where negligence or gross misconduct is proven, punitive damages may be awarded. These are designed to:

• Punish Negligence: Address severe lapses in medical care or deliberate misconduct.
• Deter Future Misconduct: Serve as a deterrent to prevent similar negligence by others.

Get Legal Help from Lawyers with Medical Degrees

If you are a mother who suffered from undiagnosed preeclampsia or whose child has health and/or developmental problems as a result, or if your baby and/or his or her mother succumbed to preeclampsia/eclampsia that was not diagnosed and treated promptly, you and your family may have a cause of action to recover money in compensation for your damages.

These are difficult and complex legal cases. You should only hire a lawyer with significant medical knowledge and experience in malpractice cases. Our Phoenix birth injury attorneys are also doctors. We are seasoned legal professionals and are also trained and experienced in the medical aspects of preeclampsia cases, including the expected standard of care and medical terminology associated with these.

Call (602) 900-9483 today to schedule a free consultation with our Phoenix preeclampsia lawyer and learn what rights you have and the best way to proceed with your legal action.