We are the attorneys to rely on after a preeclampsia and eclampsia misdiagnosis. Talk to Rikard & Protopapas if a failure to diagnose preeclampsia or eclampsia has harmed your family. Work with our legal team of Columbia birth injury lawyers to seek accountability and monetary compensation.
Lawyers for Preeclampsia & Eclampsia Misdiagnosis
At Rikard & Protopapas, we know how devastating a medical misdiagnosis can be. Too often, doctors fail to recognize symptoms, they don’t take their patients seriously or they make the wrong diagnosis. When that happens, and a mother or child is injured, the medical care provider may be legally responsible.
Preeclampsia and eclampsia misdiagnosis claims require detailed medical evidence. Our attorneys are experienced in building and pursuing complex misdiagnosis claims. For a personal review of your case, and to begin today, contact us now.
Misdiagnosis of Preeclampsia & Eclampsia
Preeclampsia and eclampsia are often mistaken for routine symptoms of pregnancy including nausea, fatigue, loss of breath, and frequent urination.
Doctors may not order needed medical testing or make an accurate diagnosis, failing to recognize the symptoms of the serious medical condition.
Filing a Lawsuit for Preeclampsia & Eclampsia Misdiagnosis
- If your doctor misdiagnosed preeclampsia or eclampsia or failed to diagnose it properly, you may be a victim of medical malpractice.
- The legal standard is what a reasonable medical practitioner should have done in the circumstances.
- A claim may be filed on behalf of the mother or child.
- Compensation may include increased medical bills, other financial losses and pain and suffering.
- It’s critical to have an attorney represent you to handle the medical and legal complexities of pursuing a claim based on a preeclampsia or eclampsia misdiagnosis.
- There are time limits to bring a claim, so don’t wait to contact us.
Our attorneys are taking new cases now. For a consultation regarding your situation, contact Rikard & Protopapas.
Understanding Eclampsia & Preeclampsia
Eclampsia is a pregnancy complication where seizures, abnormal brain activity, high blood pressure and brain swelling occur, putting mother and child at risk. It typically happens in the second half of pregnancy. In rare cases, eclampsia is fatal.
What is preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a medical complication of pregnancy involving high blood pressure and protein in urine. About 3% of people with preeclampsia develop eclampsia.
It’s possible to have eclampsia without having preeclampsia first.
Legal Claims for Misdiagnosis
In South Carolina, the law holds medical care providers to a standard of reasonable care. Medical professionals must have the training, skill and attention to work that allows them to provide adequate medical care. A doctor must do the things that are reasonable under the circumstances.
For someone showing symptoms of preeclampsia or eclampsia, that means responding with adequate follow-up testing, monitoring and patient education.
Diagnosing pre-eclampsia/eclampsia
A claim may be based on making the wrong diagnosis. It may also be based on failure to make a timely diagnosis. Doctors often mistake signs and symptoms. They may think the symptoms are normal and not a sign of anything serious.
Doctors should understand that preeclampsia and eclampsia are possible during pregnancy. They should conduct appropriate evaluations and testing when symptoms are present, including:
- High blood pressure
- Little or no fetal movement
- Urinating too much or not often enough
- Difficulty breathing
- Headaches
- Stomach pain
- Vision abnormalities including double vision or loss of vision
- Vaginal bleeding
- High creatine in urine
- Signs of fetal distress
- Abnormal red blood cell or platelet count
- Loss of consciousness, confusion, distress
- Swelling
In addition, a doctor should understand that people with certain risk factors are more likely to develop eclampsia or pre-eclampsia. Risk factors include diabetes, kidney disease, family history of the condition and smoking.
When a pregnant mother has pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, doctors must provide appropriate treatment, follow-up care, patient monitoring and patient education. Medications may assist with seizure prevention and blood pressure. The patient should be counseled in diet, exercise, rest and stress management. Medical interventions may be necessary, including inducing labor.
A doctor may mistake pre-eclampsia or eclampsia for other conditions, including:
- Infection
- Anxiety
- Diabetes
- Hyperemesis gravidarum
Complications of eclampsia
When a mother suffers from eclampsia, complications may include:
- Placental abruption
- Early labor
- Low birth weight
- Stillbirth
- Confusion, disorientation
- Stroke
- Coma
- Death
Doctors should take eclampsia and preeclampsia seriously because they can be deadly. Victims may seek compensation for harm that occurred because a doctor misdiagnosed the patient’s condition. Damages may include financial and personal losses, including pain and suffering and emotional anguish.
Do I have a legal claim for preeclampsia or eclampsia misdiagnosis?
A legal claim for preeclampsia or eclampsia requires proof of the following:
- Duty: The doctor was your care provider, owing you a duty of care.
- Breach of duty: The doctor misdiagnosed your medical condition or failed to treat it properly. Their professional services were inadequate based on prevailing standards of care.
- Causation: As a result of the misdiagnosis, you suffered harm. Harm may include complications and the consequences of failing to address the condition in a timely manner.
- Damages: Damages are what you deserve in compensation. Victims may be compensated for physical injury, economic loss and personal suffering.
Doctors should be able to recognize signs and symptoms of known pregnancy complications. They are expected to do what’s reasonable given the entire circumstances and what is known to them at the time. If they fail to meet that standard, and harm results, victims may have a claim for financial compensation.
Talk to an Eclampsia Lawyer
If your family has been harmed by a preeclampsia or eclampsia misdiagnosis, we are sorry. When your life has changed, you can rely on the attorneys at Rikard & Protopapas to seek justice for you. We can handle your case in its entirety including the complex evidentiary challenges and legal requirements for pursuing a case.
Receive financial compensation, get answers and hold professionals accountable for what has happened. See how a legal claim can help you and how our law firm helps people who are suffering from a misdiagnosis. We’re taking new cases today. Contact us to begin your case.