While doctors can determine when a woman may have preeclampsia, failing to act swiftly can result in tragedy. The mother may be left with devastating or fatal injuries, and the surviving child could suffer a birth injury that disables them and changes the trajectory of their life.
When someone else is responsible for your family’s losses from preeclampsia, you deserve justice. A Columbia preeclampsia lawyer could work with you to understand what happened and who may be at fault. Contact Whetstone Perkins & Fulda today to schedule your consultation with a compassionate birth injury attorney.
Why Is Preeclampsia So Dangerous?
Preeclampsia can appear very quickly, at any time before or even after a birth. If left untreated, it may develop into eclampsia, a sudden, severe, and potentially lethal condition. Eclampsia causes seizures in the mother, together with a host of serious problems that endanger her life and the child’s.
Our Columbia attorneys often see long-term consequences for both mother and child after preeclampsia or eclampsia. The child may experience:
- Premature birth, requiring intensive care and placing them at risk for deafness, blindness, and other disabilities
- Diminished growth and low birth weight, which can lead to life-threatening health issues such as congestive heart failure
- Lack of oxygen, causing brain damage and leading to cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and other permanent conditions
The mother is at a heightened risk of suffering a stroke, high blood pressure, or heart disease.
When Doctors Do Not Manage Preeclampsia
Medical providers should keep close track of a mother’s blood pressure, as high blood pressure (hypertension) can signal preeclampsia. They should also watch her carefully if she has a particular risk, such as diabetes or being a first-time mother. With proper management, she and her baby could be treated effectively and safely.
Unfortunately, a doctor, a staffer, or a healthcare institution could cause a birth injury through several errors or negligent acts, including:
- Errors in medication, when the patient does not receive the right prescription
- Diagnostic error in the mother, when a doctor or staffer fails to alert to her signs of preeclampsia
- Obstetric errors, or failure to recognize or properly treat problems at birth
Healthcare workers or clinics that do not live up to the standard of care can cause irreparable damage to a patient, and they should be held accountable. If you or your loved one has suffered avoidable preeclampsia due to medical negligence, contact a Columbia attorney from our firm.
Options for Survivors of Preeclampsia and Their Families
Even when you and your child both survived birth, you may face fear and uncertainty, especially if you cannot go back to work or if your child is disabled. An experienced attorney could calculate and present a claim for damages that can allow your family to move forward. When a healthcare worker or hospital causes you or your child disability, they could be liable for lost earning potential and the costs of care.
If you lost a spouse, parent, or child to preeclampsia, you could work with a medical malpractice attorney to pursue a wrongful death claim or survival action through their estate. No money can begin to replace a loved one, but damages may help lift the financial burden of their last expenses and their absence.
Contact Our Columbia Attorneys for Help With Your Preeclampsia Case
Grief and anger grip families that have gone through unnecessary preeclampsia, even when both the mother and child live. The Columbia preeclampsia lawyers at our firm understand this and are dedicated to helping those affected seek appropriate financial recovery.
At Whetstone Perkins & Fulda, we approach our cases not just with strength but with compassion. Every day, we talk to clients about the worst days of their lives, and we can be there when you need help with yours. Contact our office today to start the process.
