Placental Abruption
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Attorneys Representing Families Harmed by Placental Abruption
Few experiences are more traumatic than a medical emergency during childbirth, particularly when it could have been prevented. Placental abruption is a serious obstetrical complication that, when improperly managed, can lead to devastating consequences for both the mother and the baby. Although it is a known risk in certain pregnancies, prompt diagnosis and swift medical action can often prevent the worst outcomes. Sadly, when healthcare providers fail to recognize or respond to the warning signs in time, the results can be catastrophic. Families affected by placental abruption are often left grappling with grief, disability, or financial hardship that might have been avoided with proper care. If you believe that medical negligence contributed to your child’s injury following a placental abruption, you may be owed damages, and you should talk to an attorney. The trusted Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys of Arfaa Law Group understand what it takes to succeed in claims against negligent healthcare providers, and if you engage our services, we will advocate zealously on your behalf.
Understanding Placental Abruption and Its Risks
Placental abruption occurs when the placenta detaches prematurely from the uterine wall before delivery. This complication can interfere with the baby’s oxygen and nutrient supply and may also cause heavy maternal bleeding. While the severity of a placental abruption can vary, it is a medical emergency in any form and typically requires immediate evaluation and intervention. Risk factors for placental abruption include high blood pressure, abdominal trauma, smoking, drug use, or a prior history of abruption, but it can also occur without warning in otherwise healthy pregnancies. When the placenta separates, the baby may experience hypoxia, an inadequate supply of oxygen to the brain, which can lead to brain damage, cerebral palsy, or death.
The warning signs of placental abruption may include vaginal bleeding, sudden abdominal pain, contractions, and decreased fetal movement. When these signs present themselves, healthcare providers must act promptly to diagnose the problem using tools such as fetal heart rate monitoring and ultrasound. If the abruption is confirmed or strongly suspected, timely delivery, often by emergency cesarean section, is typically the safest course of action. The consequences of a delay, misdiagnosis, or failure to monitor can be profound.
Legal Liability for Injuries Related to Placental Abruption
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for doctors to overlook or downplay symptoms of placental abruption, allowing the condition to progress beyond a point where injury could have been prevented. When such failures occur, they may be grounds for pursuing medical malpractice claims.
A plaintiff in a medical malpractice case will usually set forth negligence claims against the defendant. In Maryland, to prove negligence, a plaintiff must demonstrate a duty owed, a breach of that duty, causation, and damages. Healthcare providers, including obstetricians, midwives, nurses, and hospital staff, owe their patients a legal duty to adhere to the standards of care expected of reasonably competent professionals in similar circumstances. This duty includes taking patient histories, monitoring for complications, responding appropriately to symptoms, and coordinating care swiftly during emergencies.
When that duty is breached, for example, by failing to respond to complaints of pain or bleeding, misinterpreting fetal monitoring data, or delaying a necessary cesarean delivery, the provider may be found negligent. However, a breach of duty alone is not enough. The plaintiff must also prove that the breach caused the harm in question. In the context of placental abruption, causation often hinges on whether earlier medical intervention could have prevented injury or death. Expert testimony is typically necessary in these cases to establish both the standard of care and how the provider’s actions fell short of it.
The final component of a malpractice claim is damages. When placental abruption results in a baby’s oxygen deprivation, the harm may include cerebral palsy, developmental delays, or even stillbirth.
If a plaintiff adequately demonstrates the defendant’s fault they may be granted compensation for their economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages may include medical expenses, the cost of future care, and lost earning capacity. Non-economic damages address intangible harms such as emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of companionship.
Talk to a Seasoned Baltimore Birth Injury Lawyer About Your Potential Claims
The physical and emotional consequences of a mishandled placental abruption can be overwhelming. If your family experienced such trauma due to a provider’s failure to follow proper medical protocols, you deserve justice, and you should speak to an attorney. At Arfaa Law Group, our seasoned Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys possess the skills and resources needed to navigate complex cases, and if you hire us, we will tirelessly pursue the results you deserve. Our office is based in Baltimore, and we proudly represent individuals and families throughout the city and surrounding areas. You can call us at 410-889-1850 or contact us online to schedule a free and confidential consultation.