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Your medical care during pregnancy is essential for your health and your unborn child’s. A variety of medical conditions, such as preeclampsia, can occur throughout a pregnancy, requiring special care to prevent injury. A health care provider who fails to meet this standard of care may be liable for the damages that result from a related birth injury.
A Bala Cynwyd preeclampsia lawyer from Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. can represent you or a loved one in the pursuit of compensation for a birth injury from medical malpractice. We want to hold negligent doctors accountable and to help you and your family get the financial compensation you deserve.
What Is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder in which an expectant mother experiences continued high blood pressure during pregnancy or in the postpartum period. High blood pressure may also occur with elevated protein levels in the urine, decreased blood platelets, kidney or liver problems, fluid in the lungs, or brain complications.
Common symptoms of preeclampsia include:
- Headaches
- Abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Light sensitivity
- Blurred vision
Undiagnosed and untreated preeclampsia can cause serious brain injuries, blood clotting, organ damage, pulmonary edema, seizures, and death in some cases. The condition can cause premature birth and restricted growth for the baby, which may lead to long-term health problems. An attorney experienced in preeclampsia cases in Bala Cynwyd can investigate if providers breached the standard of care by ignoring your symptoms.
Medical Malpractice Claims for Preeclampsia-Related Birth Injuries
A doctor or health care provider can be liable for the injuries that occur from preeclampsia because of their medical malpractice. This occurs when the doctor fails to meet the standard of care that a reasonable physician would provide under the circumstances. A delayed or missed diagnosis of preeclampsia is a common form of malpractice. This can happen when the physician fails to order basic testing, ignores key symptoms, or misinterprets test results.
Other examples of medical malpractice include a doctor not prescribing the right treatment or failing to inform the patient about the risks of preeclampsia during pregnancy. In high-risk patients, the doctor may need to hospitalize the mother before the expected delivery date for increased monitoring. They may also need to perform an expedited emergency delivery to further limit the risk of injury or death. A lawyer in Bala Cynwyd can review your treatment records and consult with preeclampsia experts to identify medical malpractice in your case.
Claiming Damages for Your Injury in a Medical Malpractice Case
Another benefit of working with an experienced preeclampsia lawyer at Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. is knowing the potential value of a medical malpractice claim. Understanding the scope of your damages is helpful for making informed decisions about settlement offers or taking a case to trial. A Bala Cynwyd attorney can review all economic and non-economic damages that you incur because of the preeclampsia-related malpractice and seek full compensation. Examples of damages to claim in a medical malpractice case can include:
- Past and future medical care costs
- Lost wages or diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Losses to the quality or enjoyment of life
- Negative impacts on your relationships
The deadline for filing a medical malpractice claim in Pennsylvania is generally two years from the date of the doctor’s alleged negligence. However, when a birth injury affects a child, different rules may apply. Under Pennsylvania law, the statute of limitations for a minor is typically tolled (paused) until the child turns 18. In many birth injury cases, this means a claim on behalf of the child may be filed up until the child’s 20th birthday.
Parents’ individual claims, such as those for medical expenses incurred before the child turns 18, may still be subject to a different two-year deadline. Because these timelines can vary depending on the specific facts of the case, consulting with a lawyer as soon as possible is important for understanding your filing requirements and avoiding dismissal.
Contact a Bala Cynwyd Preeclampsia Attorney Today To Discuss Your Claim
The consequences of medical malpractice during pregnancy can extend well beyond the delivery date. A Bala Cynwyd preeclampsia lawyer can help you understand your right to compensation and pursue a claim against those at fault for your injury or loss.
Contact Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today to schedule a free initial consultation.
