Failure To Diagnose Placenta Previa

Placenta previa is a condition that arises during pregnancy that can cause complications during the birth. Early and accurate assessments via prenatal screening tests are crucial for identifying placenta previa. If diagnosed, doctors can closely monitor the condition throughout the pregnancy and plan for appropriate medical interventions to minimize the risks associated with this condition. If placenta previa goes undiagnosed, however, it can cause devastating injuries, which, in some cases, may be fatal. If you or your child suffered injuries due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose placenta previa, you may be owed damages, and you should consult an attorney to discuss your case. The skillful Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys of Arfaa Law Group commit their practice to helping people affected by negligent healthcare providers in the pursuit of justice, and if we represent you, we will advocate aggressively on your behalf.

When an expectant mother has placenta previa, the placenta is situated low in the uterus and partially or fully covers the cervix. This abnormal placement can impede the normal birthing process. The three main types of placenta previa include complete, partial, and marginal, each of which presents varying degrees of cervix obstruction.

Complications arising from the failure to diagnose placenta previa can be serious and potentially life-threatening for both the mother and the baby. As the cervix dilates during labor, the placenta may detach, which can lead to significant hemorrhaging that endangers both the mother and the baby. Additionally, placenta previa can compromise the fetus’ blood supply, which can lead to fetal distress, developmental issues, and fetal demise. Placenta previa can also cause excessive bleeding during delivery, which can cause hypovolemic shock, a severe drop in blood volume that can be life-threatening if not promptly addressed.

A doctor’s failure to diagnose placenta previa is often the result of inattentiveness or careless mistakes. As such, in most medical malpractice lawsuits that arise out of such failures, the plaintiff will assert a negligence claim against the defendant.

Under Maryland law, proving negligence requires the plaintiff to show the defendant had a duty to abide by the applicable standard of care, which is the care a reasonable professional working in the same specialty would provide under the same circumstances. The plaintiff then must prove that the defendant’s treatment of the plaintiff constitutes a breach of the duty owed. Last, the plaintiff must prove that they suffered actual damages and that such damages were caused by the defendant’s departure from the standard of care. This means that they must establish that, if not for the defendant’s breach of the duty owed, they would not have sustained injuries.

In the majority of medical malpractice cases, the plaintiff will need to hire an expert to testify about what the standard of care requires, how the defendant failed to uphold the standard of care and to connect the defendant’s failures to the plaintiff’s harm. Expert testimony is also usually needed to quantify the economic losses suffered by the plaintiff.

A plaintiff who proves a defendant was negligent may be granted compensation for the cost of any necessary medical care as well as the cost of future medical treatment, lost wages, and costs paid out-of-pocket. Additionally, they may be awarded damages for their suffering, mental and emotional trauma, and pain.

Placenta previa can cause significant complications during birth that can lead to permanent injuries, but it can typically be managed with appropriate care. As such, a prompt and accurate diagnosis of placenta previa is essential. If you or your child were hurt because of a doctor’s failure to diagnose placenta previa, it is essential to talk to an attorney about your options for seeking damages. The experienced Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group can gather any evidence in your favor and develop persuasive arguments on your behalf to provide you with a strong chance of obtaining a favorable outcome. We have an office in Baltimore, where we often represent people in medical malpractice cases. You can reach us through our form online or at (410) 889-1850 to arrange a meeting.