Failure to Diagnose Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is one of the most devastating medical conditions that a mother and unborn child can experience. Medical science has come a long way over the last few decades when it comes to understanding and treating preeclampsia, but there are times when medical providers fail to diagnose this extremely dangerous condition. If you or a loved one have been harmed due to a medical provider’s failure to diagnose preeclampsia, we encourage you to reach out to an attorney with experience handling complex birth injury claims in Louisville.

What is Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a condition that typically occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and is characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs such as the kidneys and liver. If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, a life-threatening condition that causes seizures and, in severe situations, can be fatal for mother and child.

Some common symptoms of preeclampsia include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Severe headaches
  • Changes in vision, (blurred vision or light sensitivity)
  • Upper abdominal pain, often on the right side
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Swelling, particularly in the hands, face, or legs

The Dangers of Failing to Diagnose Preeclampsia

Failing to diagnose preeclampsia can have severe and sometimes irreversible consequences for both the mother and the baby. Without timely intervention, preeclampsia can progress rapidly, causing dangerous complications, including:

  • Eclampsia: This severe form of preeclampsia can lead to seizures, coma, or death if the symptoms aren’t promptly addressed.
  • Placental abruption: Preeclampsia could lead to the placenta separating from the uterine wall before the fetus delivers, leading to heavy bleeding and depriving the baby of oxygen and nutrients.
  • HELLP syndrome: A variant of preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome affects the liver and blood cells and can be fatal for both mother and baby if not treated quickly.
  • Preterm birth: In many cases, preeclampsia necessitates early delivery to protect the mother and baby. Preterm birth can result in long-term developmental and health issues for the baby.

How Medical Providers Can Fail to Diagnose Preeclampsia

There are several ways that a medical provider (including doctors, nurses and other providers) can fail to diagnose preeclampsia, leading to potentially life-threatening consequences. These failures often involve:

  • Lack of regular monitoring: One of the most important aspects of prenatal care is monitoring the mother’s blood pressure and checking for signs of protein in the urine. Failure to conduct these routine tests can delay the diagnosis of preeclampsia.
  • Ignoring symptoms: Many symptoms of preeclampsia, such as swelling, headaches, and nausea, can be mistaken for typical pregnancy-related discomforts. If a doctor dismisses these symptoms without further investigation, they may miss the early signs of a serious problem.
  • Failure to order additional testing: In some cases, even when a patient presents with concerning symptoms, a healthcare provider may fail to order necessary blood tests, urine tests, or ultrasounds to assess the severity of the condition.
  • Misinterpretation of test results: Incorrectly reading blood pressure levels, urine tests, or lab results can prevent doctors from recognizing the early onset of preeclampsia.

When these failures occur, medical providers may be held accountable for their negligence, especially if the lack of diagnosis leads to serious harm for the mother or child.

Pursuing a Medical Malpractice Claim

If a healthcare provider fails to diagnose preeclampsia, and that failure leads to injury or death, you may be entitled to pursue a medical malpractice claim. These claims arise in Kentucky when a healthcare provider fails to meet the standard of care that a reasonably competent provider would have met in similar circumstances. In the case of preeclampsia, this typically involves failing to properly monitor the mother’s health, recognize the symptoms, or act quickly enough to prevent complications.

To succeed in a medical malpractice claim in KY civil court, you will need to prove:

  • A doctor-patient relationship existed: This establishes that the healthcare provider owed you a duty of care.
  • The provider was negligent: You must show that the healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care in diagnosing or treating preeclampsia.
  • The negligence caused harm: It must be proven that the provider’s failure to diagnose preeclampsia resulted in injury to you or your baby.
  • Damages were sustained: You will need to show that you suffered damages as a result of the negligence, such as medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, or wrongful death.

Contact a Preeclampsia Medical Malpractice Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a healthcare provider’s failure to diagnose preeclampsia, it is important to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Meinhart & Manning, PLLC, we understand the emotional and physical toll that birth injuries can take on families, and we are here to help. Our compassionate and experienced team is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.