Posted on 03/24/2022

Can medical malpractice cause placental abruption?

Can medical malpractice cause placental abruption?

If you and your baby sustained a birth injury and you were diagnosed with placental abruption, keep reading to learn how you can file a placental abruption lawsuit.

We’re going to break down placental abruption — what it is, the risks involved, the typical treatment plan and how medical malpractice can cause placental abruption.

Finally, I’ll share how you can file a lawsuit and get started with an attorney in a free consultation.

Placental abruption can cause lifelong injuries and require lifelong treatment. Don’t wait any longer to get the compensation you deserve.

What is placental abruption?

The placenta is an organ that develops at the beginning of pregnancy and is responsible for producing and transferring nutrients and oxygen through the umbilical cord. 

Normally, the placenta connects the growing fetus to the upper part of the mother’s uterine wall and will separate via the birth canal on its own after delivery.

Placental abruption is when the placenta separates from the uterine wall prematurely. It typically occurs during the third trimester, but can occur any time after 20 weeks. 

About 1 in 100 pregnant women tragically experience placental abruption.

When abruption occurs, the nutrients and oxygen cannot pass through to the fetus and furthermore can cause maternal bleeding.

Vaginal bleeding is just one of the common symptoms that can transpire due to placental abruption.

Other common symptoms include:

  • Pain or tenderness in the uterus area or back
  • Stiff or hard uterus area
  • Experiencing symptoms of an early labor
  • Decreased fetal movement

Placental abruption can only be determined after labor. However, if you experience any symptoms, your medical provider must take certain precautions and prepare a plan so they can provide treatment and reduce the risk of birth injuries.

Diagnosis and treatment for Placental abruption

There are several ways an obstetrician can check for placental abruption. The most common methods include: 

  • Ultrasounds
  • Observation and evaluation of maternal symptoms
  • Blood tests for anemia or urine tests
  • Fetal heart monitor

Once the placenta has separated from the uterine wall, it cannot be reconnected. The treatment for placental abruption is based upon three factors,

  1. The severity of the separation
  2. The location of the separation
  3. Gestational age

In mild cases, you may be ordered bed rest, prescribed medication and ordered routine check-ups to monitor the baby’s growth.

In severe cases, the safest route is to go into labor. If the baby is in distress, or if there is a lot of blood loss, the most common course of treatment is a cesarean delivery.

Sometimes blood transfusions are necessary as well, depending on how much blood is lost.

Treatment will also depend on what term you are in. You may be prescribed medication to help maintain your baby’s growth and development.

However, most placental abruptions lead to a premature birth, which will require NICU care. 

Tragically, in the most severe cases, there is a 15% chance of fetal death. 

Risks involved for mother and unborn baby when placenta abrupts

It’s critical that your obstetrician catches and treats your placental abruption to reduce the risk of further health complications.

Some of the most common health risks that affect your baby include:

  • Premature birth
  • Low birth weight
  • Brain injuries
  • Growth problems
  • Stillbirth

Some of the most common health risks that affect the mother include:

  • Blood loss
  • Blood clots
  • Hemorrhages
  • Kidney Failure

Most birth injuries can be prevented with proper care provided by your obstetrician.

Pre-suit requirements in placental abruption cases

There are several reasons as to how medical malpractice can cause placental abruption.

Some of the most common examples of medical negligence in placental abruption lawsuits are if the providing obstetrician failed to, 

  • inform or communicate the risks and possibilities of placental abruption with the expecting mother
  • assess the expecting mother’s symptoms, or failed to offer any further testing to diagnose placental abruption
  • perform treatment required in time, or failure to perform a c-section in a timely manner
  • provide blood transfusions

If you question whether your obstetrician provided you and your baby with the standard level of care, call a medical malpractice attorney to determine if you have a placental abruption lawsuit.

To file this kind of lawsuit, your medical malpractice attorney will have to prove your obstetrician neglected the standard level of care for you and your baby — which requires a lot of research and proof.

An experienced and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney, like those at Grover Lewis Johnson, will work with an obstetrician or medical provider in the same field. That expert will speak to the standard level of care and explain how your providing obstetrician deviated from standard treatment.

How a medical malpractice lawyer can help you in placental abruption case

There are several reasons as to why you need to hire a medical malpractice attorney.

An attorney can review the facts and injuries of your case and determine if you have a lawsuit. They can provide their legal expertise on settlement vs going to trial.

A lawyer can assist throughout the entire process, including preparing for depositions and giving statements.

They will obtain and organize all of the evidence and proof. This is an enormous feat since it requires reaching out to several medical entities to gather documentation and efficiently making it all make sense in a timely manner. 

An attorney will also be aware and knowledgeable of all the legal protocols necessary in filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, such as the statute of limitations.

Reach out to the medical malpractice team at Grover Lewis Johnson today. 

We will listen to your story with empathy and compassion — and won’t mess around with legal fees.

We understand the financial distress a birth injury can put on families, which is why we don’t expect a single payment until we win your case.