Receiving proper healthcare during pregnancy is an extremely important aspect of ensuring mother and baby are healthy. However, when a doctor fails to diagnose certain medical conditions in a pregnant mother, both mom and baby may be at risk for dangerous health consequences. In such cases, speak with our failure to diagnose attorneys in New York about your case and entitlement to damages.
Dangerous Medical Conditions in Mother
There are some medical conditions that a pregnant mother may have that, if undiagnosed, can lead to serious complications in the pregnancy. Below are some examples.
- Preeclampsia (unusually high blood pressure during pregnancy) can reduce blood flow to the baby, leading to poor growth, placental abruption, and low levels of amniotic fluid.
- Rh incompatibility (Rh negative blood in the mother is incompatible with baby’s Rh positive blood) can cause symptoms ranging from very mild to very deadly. Rh incompatibility can cause jaundice in the baby, low muscle tone and lethargy, brain damage, fluid buildup and swelling, and problems with mental function in the baby.
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can also be dangerous for a pregnant mother and her developing baby. Hypoglycemia can lead to dizziness or fainting, which can result in a devastating fall that might harm the baby. Additionally, fainting can cause oxygen deprivation to a fetus, which can then cause brain injuries in the baby.
- Anemia (low iron) has been linked to a baby’s low birth weight, as well as preterm delivery.
- Gestational diabetes (blood sugar levels are too high during pregnancy) may lead to high birth weight which can lead to complications during delivery.
Causes of Undiagnosed Medical Conditions in Pregnant Women
The failure of a doctor to diagnose medical conditions in pregnant women is often an avoidable error. Below are some factors that may contribute to failure to diagnose errors.
- Failure to perform proper exams
- Failure to use imaging technology like ultrasound
- Failure to properly monitor mother and baby
- Failure to take proper blood and urine samples
The failure to diagnose a dangerous condition may also be the result of faulty equipment, human error, or the lack of appropriate means or measures taken on the part of the doctor, leading to misdiagnosis or no diagnosis.
Liability for Harm Caused by a Failure to Diagnose
When a doctor fails to diagnose medical conditions in a pregnant mother, and that failure leads to a dangerous complication in the pregnancy, a healthcare professional may be liable. If the doctor failed to perform the proper care necessary, then the doctor may have acted negligently and therefore would be liable.
Or, if a lab technician made an error or a defective piece of medical equipment was to blame, the lab technician or the manufacturer of that equipment may be liable.
If you can prove liability, then you and your baby may be able to recover damages.
- Medical expenses
- Wrongful death benefits
- Emotional distress
The statute of limitations in New York for filing a medical malpractice suit following a diagnostic failure is 2.5 years.
Seek Legal Recourse with Our Failure to Diagnose Attorneys in New York
If you and your child have been victims of a doctor’s failure to diagnose a dangerous medical condition, seek legal counsel with New York lawyers familiar with medical malpractice and failure to diagnose errors. At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., our attorneys will guide you through the process of filing a claim. To speak with one of our attorneys, call us today at 800-550-0000.
