Preeclampsia Birth Injuries
Preeclampsia birth injuries include serious complications of pregnancy that can wreak havoc on the lives of mothers, parents, infants, and families. In advanced cases, it can result in organ damage and severe injury to the mother, infant, or both, and can even result in death.1 Preeclampsia can evolve into eclampsia, an emergency situation in which the mother experiences seizures and the fetus must be delivered immediately. The lives of both the mother and infant are at risk in such scenarios. According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, preeclampsia accounts for approximately 20 percent of all premature deliveries.2
Preeclampsia involves multiple organs and systems in the body, with the placenta being the central problem site.3 Its onset is generally in the 20-week range.4 Symptoms of preeclampsia include:4,5
Elevated blood pressure (even when blood pressure was normal before pregnancy)
Excess protein in urine (proteinuria) or other signs or symptoms of kidney issues
Decreased levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia)
Increased liver enzymes indicating liver problems
Severe headaches
Swelling in the face and/or hands
Changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light
Shortness of breath due to fluid in the lungs
Pain in the upper right side, generally under the ribs
Nausea or vomiting
In some instances, preeclampsia birth injuries are due to medical malpractice negligence. Preeclampsia birth injury medical malpractice negligence may include:
– Failure to carefully monitor health of mother and baby
– Improperly timed prenatal visits (assessment too late to avoid problems or provide treatment)
– Test errors
– Improper interpretation of tests
– Patient medical chart errors
– Patient medical chart mix-ups
– Improper treatment
– Prescription errors
– Failure to recognize pre-pregnancy kidney problems
Those who have suffered preeclampsia birth injuries due to provable medical malpractice negligence not only seek valid answers to their many questions, but also useful direction and effective assistance. Selecting an expert lawyer or legal team is critical, not only to help ensure justice, but also fair compensation. This is especially important in cases of long-term preeclampsia birth injuries. Richard “Bo” Sharp, Esq. and Mallard & Sharp, P.A.’s goal is to obtain justice for individuals and families who are victims of birth injury medical malpractice negligence, especially when such malpractice occurs during labor and delivery. This includes cases involving preeclampsia birth injuries.
Mallard & Sharp, P.A. is dedicated to providing clients with the path to justice and financial recovery. The firm continually handles righteous cases that involve birth injuries, medical malpractice, and negligent security, as well as any other acts of negligence that cause catastrophic injuries or wrongful death to individuals.
For more information or to inquire about hiring expert legal representation for a potential birth injury medical malpractice negligence case, including preeclampsia birth injuries, contact Mallard & Sharp, P.A. at 305-461-4800.
1 https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/preeclampsia/conditioninfo/risk-mother
2 https://www.preeclampsia.org/the-news/community-support/premature-birth-creates-emotional-challenges
3 https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.HYP.0000188408.49896.c5
4 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/preeclampsia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355745
5 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17952-preeclampsia