When is the failure to diagnose preeclampsia medical malpractice?
Pregnancy should be one of the most joyful times of your life. But pregnancy can bring much uncertainty and worry in the form of medical issues and complications. By speaking to your medical provider about the symptoms you are experiencing and the concerns that you have, you should be able to get a swift diagnosis and the appropriate treatment to keep you and your baby healthy.
However, unfortunately, many medical conditions associated with pregnancy worsen because of a failure to diagnose. One condition that is commonly undiagnosed for a significant period of time is preeclampsia. If you suffered from preeclampsia during your pregnancy and your doctor failed to diagnose you, it is likely that this failure put the health of you and your child at risk.
What is preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a hypertensive condition that often occurs in the late stages of pregnancy. The key symptom of preeclampsia is high blood pressure. The condition can put the health of both the mother and baby at risk, and since there is no cure for the condition, the standard procedure is to deliver the baby as soon as possible to minimize the health risks.
What happens if preeclampsia is undiagnosed?
When preeclampsia is undiagnosed, eclampsia can occur. Eclampsia is an extremely serious condition that can lead to seizures. However, mothers who contact their medical provider with symptoms of preeclampsia should be diagnosed without a problem in most circumstances.
How is preeclampsia diagnosed?
Preeclampsia can be diagnosed through measuring blood pressure, measuring protein levels in the blood and observing symptoms. Common symptoms include rapid weight gain, abdominal pain, dizziness and reduced urination. Risk factors include having a history of obesity, lupus or diabetes, or having a family history of preeclampsia.
Why did my medical provider fail to diagnose me?
If you displayed symptoms of preeclampsia and you were not diagnosed, it is likely that you can successfully accuse your medical provider of medical malpractice. Preeclampsia is a common condition that carries dangerous risks. Therefore, it is very possible that your doctor was negligent in failing to diagnose you.
If you want to claim damages for your doctor’s failure to diagnose preeclampsia, it is important that you take action to understand the law in Illinois.