Representing Mothers Who Are Not Properly Cared For During Childbirth
Pregnancy is supposed to be a happy time when an expectant mother prepares for childbirth and all the joys of raising a new infant. Unfortunately, complications can arise at times that make pregnancy more difficult and introduce some potential risks and dangers to both the mother and child during and prior to delivery. It is vital that doctors and other healthcare workers properly watch for complications, such as placenta previa, and act to make sure the mother and baby remain healthy throughout the pregnancy and during birth.
If you or someone you know was not properly cared for during pregnancy, and placenta previa caused injury or other losses, then you need an experienced New York birth injury attorney to represent you and protect your rights. Call Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP today at (212) 986-7353 to discuss your case. Medical professionals are trained to handle birth issues such as placenta previa and ensure injuries do not occur, so if they have failed you, then you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering.
What is Placenta Previa?
During pregnancy, the placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to a growing baby and attaches to the wall of the uterus within the mother. It typically attaches at the top or side of the uterus, which avoids most complications that can arise from it. In some instances, however, the placenta attaches to the lower area of the uterus, which is referred to as placenta previa. When this happens, the placenta can partially or completely cover the opening in the mother's cervix, which creates complications during later stages of pregnancy and during delivery.
How Do I Know If I Have Placenta Previa?
One of the most common symptoms that can indicate placenta previa is vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, especially during the second or third trimester. If light bleeding occurs, it should be brought up to a doctor immediately, so that he or she can check for placenta previa. Any time heavy bleeding occurs during pregnancy, the mother should seek immediately medical care at a hospital or other emergency service, as this can be an indicator of much more severe problems.
Once a doctor is notified about light bleeding during the second or third trimester, then he or she can check for placenta previa. This is typically done using basic ultrasound equipment, though in some instances an MRI may be necessary. In any case, the doctor should be able to determine the position of the placenta within the uterus and then take appropriate measures to ensure the health and safety of the mother and baby.
Are There Certain Risk Factors for Placenta Previa?
A few factors can increase the chances of placenta previa for an expectant mother, including a previous C-section or other surgery involving her uterus, since the presence of scar tissue can impact the connection of the placenta to the uterus. It is also more common for women who have had a previous baby, experienced placenta previa already in the past, are carrying more than one baby, or who are older than 35.
What Are the Dangers of Placenta Previa?
If handled properly by doctors and healthcare workers, placenta previa should not cause serious injuries to a mother or her child. One of the biggest dangers when placenta previa is present is hemorrhaging or bleeding of the mother during or just after delivery. Medical professionals should be ready for this danger, however, and be able to respond promptly if excessive bleeding does occur. Preterm birth can also be an issue, and serious bleeding before delivery is scheduled may require an emergency C-section. Again, doctors should plan for this with the mother, prepare her for this possibility, and perform the procedure correctly to ensure the mother and baby are not injured.
If you or a loved one experienced an injury or other loss due to placenta previa in New York, it is possible that your doctor did not act properly to handle the situation. Identifying medical malpractice is not easy, however, so you need an experienced NY personal injury lawyer to work for you and review your case to see if proper steps were taken. Call us at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP today at (212) 986-7353 to look at your case and discuss your options.
Additional Information
Our Birth Injury Case Results
$10 Million - Suit Alleging Failure to Timely Perform C-Section
WRSMH attorney Philip Russotti obtained a $10 Million mediation settlement for failure to timely perform a Cesarean Section. The case was venued in Orange County, NY.
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$6 Million - New York Birth Injury
WRSMH attorney, Phil Russotti, obtained a $6 million settlement for our client whose child suffered severe brain damage during birth.
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$4.75 Million - New York Fetal Distress
We claimed that the baby should have been delivered by emergency C-Section or forceps delivery. He was ultimately diagnosed with cerebral palsy and spastic quadriparesis.
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$3.9 Million - New York Birth Injury Case
Attorney Philip Russotti argued that as a result of this negligence, the child suffered hypoxia which resulted in mild retardation, severe ADHD and social isolation as well as difficulties with fine motor skills.
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$1.3 Million - Infant-Plaintiff Suffered Brachial Plexus Injury at Birth
WRSMH obtained a $1,300,000 jury verdict, after a three week medical malpractice trial in Staten Island, on behalf of a 6-year-old girl who suffered a brachial plexus injury known as Erb's palsy.
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$1.08 Million - Injuries Sustained by Baby Girl at Birth
We claimed that the hospital was negligent for not intervening and performing a cesarean section in light of the mother's failure to adequately progress in labor.
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