Can I Sue if My Placental Abruption Caused Cerebral Palsy?

 Posted on October 25, 2024 in Birth Injury

In times past, childbirth was a leading cause of death for women, and around 30 percent of children born in the 1800s died in their first year of life. Medical advances in the last century have improved those rates dramatically, but maternal death and birth injuries still happen today. Some cases are due to natural causes, but others happen because doctors or midwives are negligent.

Although rare, placental abruption can endanger both mother and child. Among the dangers to the baby is cerebral palsy, which can cause significant impairments and require life-long treatment and care. If your baby developed acquired cerebral palsy due to placental abruption or other medical errors, or if placental abruption harmed the mother, you could receive compensation if medical negligence is the cause. A knowledgeable lawyer from Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. can assess your circumstances and explain your legal options.

What Is Placental Abruption?

While in the womb, babies receive nutrients and oxygen through the umbilical cord from the placenta. The placenta is attached to the inner wall of the mother’s uterus, but it can partially or totally detach. A detached placenta is called placental abruption, and it can cause multiple risks for both the mother and unborn child.

Common causes of placental abruption include:

• Infections
• Pregnancy with multiple fetuses
• Maternal conditions, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia
• The mother’s water breaking early
• Smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs

Midwives and doctors should be well aware of the symptoms associated with placental abruption, which include severe back or abdominal pain, decreased fetal movement, low fetal heart rate, and potential vaginal bleeding. Without the correct prompt medical intervention, mother and child could die or suffer other kinds of harm.

What Is Cerebral Palsy?

One of the potential injuries to a child from placental abruption, cerebral palsy is a permanent disability which can affect hearing, vision, muscle control, speech, and cognitive function. Most CP cases are congenital, but some are acquired due to oxygen deprivation. Because placental abruption disrupts the baby’s oxygen supply, it can lead to cerebral palsy.

Is My Case Eligible for a Medical Malpractice Claim?

To qualify for compensation through a medical malpractice claim, you need evidence proving that negligence is the direct cause of the harm you or your child suffered, and that the harm resulted in damages. Your healthcare provider, clinic, hospital, midwife, or other medical professional might be liable if:

• Placental abruption was not diagnosed
• Prompt treatment was not provided
• Incorrect treatment was administered
• He did not monitor your condition closely

Medical malpractice cases are often complicated. Your lawyer from Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. knows how to investigate your situation, find evidence that establishes liability, and work hard to get you the compensation you deserve.

How Much Compensation Can I Collect?

Every case is different, and Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. cannot give you a generic answer to that question. We have to evaluate several factors to arrive at an amount that will cover all your expenses and compensate you for the emotional and mental turmoil caused by your medical provider’s negligence. However, you might receive damages for:

• Your child’s lifelong medical expenses
• The costs of caregivers
• Your lost income
• Necessary medical equipment
• Vehicle or home modifications to accommodate your child’s disabilities
• Pain and suffering
• Diminished quality of life

Your attorney will fight to help you get the highest possible amount of compensation, whether through settlement negotiations or a court trial.

Call Our Determined Chicago, IL Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Today

If you suspect that a medical error caused your baby’s cerebral palsy, whether due to placental abruption or other factors, call Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd.. Likewise, call us at 312-462-4200 if placental abruption harmed you or your child in other ways. One of our experienced Cook County, IL placental abruption attorneys will evaluate your case during a free consultation.