Brain Damage from Placenta Previa Attorneys in Pittsburgh
Skilled Birth Injury Attorneys Representing the Injured Throughout Western Pennsylvania
Placenta previa is the term used to describe an obstetric complication during pregnancy. The placenta, usually attached to the wall of the uterus, is instead at the bottom, sometimes partly or completely covering the cervix through which the baby must pass to be born. Placenta previa can cause significant problems for both mother and baby if not managed correctly before and during labor and delivery.
Consequences of Placenta Previa
At the Pittsburgh law firm of Berger & Lagnese, LLC our birth injury lawyers help families whose baby has suffered brain damage or other injuries because of mismanaged placenta previa.
Our attorneys handle cases involving:
- Severe hemorrhage that causes maternal or infant death in less than 15 minutes
- Pre-term birth by C-section that leads to conditions such as cerebral palsy, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), breathing problems, and low birth weight
Risk Factors for Placenta Previa
The doctor handling pre-natal care can determine whether a mother is at risk for placenta previa. Mothers with the following risk factors are more likely to experience this condition:
- More than one delivery or pregnancies
- Previous uterine surgeries such as C-sections, fibroid surgery, and D&C
- Prior placenta previa
- Either older than age 35 or younger than 18
- Multiple abortions
- Smoking during pregnancy
- Recreational drug use during pregnancy
Women with any of these risk factors should be monitored during pregnancy to identify placenta previa. The safest and most reliable way to monitor these at-risk mothers is with regular ultrasounds.
How Placenta Previa Can Become a Serious Problem Instead of a Manageable Complication
Doctors, midwives, and nurses who fail to manage a woman’s pregnancy according to accepted standards of care are putting mother and baby at risk—especially when a woman has any of the risk factors listed above. Medical providers could be found responsible and guilty of medical malpractice if they:
- Fail to perform an ultrasound to diagnose placenta previa.
- Fail to continuously monitor the baby during an emergency placenta previa situation
- Vaginal delivery attempted when the placenta completely covers the cervix
- Digital exam performed on women with placenta previa during labor that causes hemorrhaging
- Delay in performing emergency C-section
Contact Our Western Pennsylvania Attorneys if You or Your Baby Were Hurt
The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese, LLC stand ready to help you obtain justice if your baby was injured because of mismanaged placenta previa during labor and delivery. A child with a serious brain injury resulting from this type of negligence will require significant care for life. Not only do we build strong cases to get clients the resources they need to help provide that care, but we also send a message to the medical community that this type of medical mistake must stop.
To learn about your legal options, contact us today. Remember, we charge you no fees unless we win your case.
