There is no shortage of potential complications that can occur during pregnancy and childbirth. Some problems can pose a serious threat of injury to the mother and child if they are not handled properly by qualified medical professionals. Preeclampsia is one of the most dangerous complications related to childbirth because it often occurs midway through pregnancy, with little warning and potentially life-threatening repercussions.
Your obstetricians have a duty to keep you safe from such problems to the fullest extent possible based on their medical knowledge and experience. If your obstetrician failed to do that for you, you can file a civil suit against them with medical malpractice attorney’s support. In order to effectively enforce your rights and secure the restitution you deserve after such negligence harmed you, contacting a Harrisburg preeclampsia lawyer from Lowenthal & Abrams should be among your top priorities.
Symptoms of Preeclampsia and the Standard of Care
Preeclampsia most commonly manifests first as a sudden increase in blood pressure. Other possible symptoms include:
- Excess protein in the urine
- Severe headaches
- Blurred vision
- Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, underneath the ribs
If left unchecked, preeclampsia can prevent the placenta from getting enough blood and increase the risk of placental abruption and preterm labor. The condition may even develop into eclampsia, potentially causing seizures, coma, or death.
The standard of care for doctors treating preeclampsia is based on what an equally qualified physician would do under the same circumstances. Obstetricians and other doctors should know the early warning signs of preeclampsia, closely monitor their patients’ physical condition for any problems, take prompt action to recommend medication, and provide any other treatment necessary to reduce the risk of preeclampsia worsening.
If the failure to do any of these things directly led to you or your baby suffering preventable harm, it can qualify as legally actionable malpractice. In such circumstances, a seasoned Harrisburg preeclampsia attorney can help you file a malpractice suit.
Seeking Fair Compensation Within Filing Deadlines
The financial value of your malpractice lawsuit over mismanaged preeclampsia will depend on how the condition harmed you and your child, along with your resulting financial and personal losses.
Examples of compensable damages in cases of this nature include:
- Expenses associated with treating the effects of mismanaged preeclampsia, including the expected costs of future rehabilitative and maintenance care
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Disability-related expenses, for example, wheelchairs and in-home care
- Emotional trauma and distress
- Lost earning capacity and work earnings
- Lost enjoyment or quality of life
Regardless of what you and your child have suffered or will suffer, it is important to contact a preeclampsia lawyer in Harrisburg and start working on a potential claim as soon as possible after learning that your doctor’s failures have caused you harm. State law generally allows malpractice victims a maximum of two years to file a suit after initially discovering their injuries.
Speak With a Preeclampsia Attorney in Harrisburg Today
Preeclampsia is not always a life-threatening condition, but obstetricians should check for symptoms while caring for pregnant patients. Unfortunately, not every doctor is as diligent about meeting this basic standard of care as they should be—something you may have unfortunately learned through direct experience.
You have support available to you from a dedicated Harrisburg preeclampsia lawyer, who will help you get the restitution you need for the harm you should never have experienced. Call today for a consultation.