Pittsburgh Placenta Previa Lawyers

Medical Malpractice Firm Advocates For Families Experiencing Birth Injuries In Pittsburgh And Throughout Western Pennsylvania

We trust our doctors to act in our best interests. We rely on them for their expertise and knowledge, and to make appropriate decisions that provide the best care possible in the given situation. This is particularly true during pregnancy and childbirth.

When a doctor is negligent or behaves carelessly — during pregnancy, delivery, or post-delivery — and the mother or baby is injured, the physician, hospital, or other health care provider can be held accountable for their actions. Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in the aftermath of a birth-related injury is particularly difficult given the emotional and physical trauma of the situation. At Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC, we understand. Our compassionate medical malpractice attorneys are dedicated to fighting for the rights of those who have suffered because of medical negligence.

Can I File A Medical Malpractice Lawsuit In Pennsylvania For Placenta Previa?

The placenta, which develops in the uterus during pregnancy, provides oxygen and nutrition to the fetus, as well as serving to remove waste from the fetus. Connected to the fetus through the umbilical cord, the placenta attaches at the side or the top of the uterus. Placenta previa is a condition that occurs when a baby’s placenta either partially or totally covers the mother’s cervix. In this state, the mother may experience severe bleeding during pregnancy as well as during delivery. 

The cause of placenta previa is unknown and, for many women diagnosed with this condition in the early stages of pregnancy, the placenta previa resolves. In situations where the placenta continues to cover more of the cervix through the later stages of pregnancy, the likelihood of the condition resolving on its own becomes diminished.

When a pregnant woman has been diagnosed with placenta previa, their health care provider should take appropriate action, which includes closely monitoring both the mother and fetus to reduce the risk of serious complications. Some of the complications from placenta previa include the following:

• Bleeding: severe hemorrhage that occurs during labor, during delivery, or during the first few hours after the delivery
• Preterm birth: severe bleeding that may warrant an emergency C-section before the fetus is full term

Health care providers often diagnose placenta previa through ultrasound as part of standard prenatal care, or after the patient experiences bleeding. The majority of placenta previa cases are diagnosed during an ultrasound exam that is performed during the second trimester of pregnancy. If placenta previa is suspected, the health care provider will avoid certain exams to reduce the risk of bleeding and may conduct additional ultrasounds to monitor the location of the placenta during the remainder of the pregnancy.

If a doctor or other health care provider’s carelessness causes injury to the mother during pregnancy or during delivery, the mother may file a claim for medical malpractice. 

Parents In Pittsburgh And Across Pennsylvania Can Recover Compensation For Placenta Previa And Other Birth-Related Medical Malpractice 

When a doctor, hospital, or other health care provider is negligent — by failing to take appropriate action or by behaving carelessly — and someone else is hurt as a consequence, the at-fault party can be held legally responsible for their actions. When placenta previa goes undiagnosed or is mistreated and it causes the mother to suffer injury, the mother may file a medical malpractice lawsuit.

When filing a medical malpractice claim, the injured party may seek compensation for damages including:

• Medical expenses 
• Hospital bills
• Lost income 
• Loss of earning capacity
• Cost of future medical expenses as a result of the medical negligence

• Physical pain
• Emotional anguish
• Mental suffering
• Physical suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Legal Time Limits For Filing Medical Malpractice Claims in Pennsylvania

Each state establishes legal time limits for filing civil claims. These deadlines are known as “statutes of limitations”. These statutes differ from one state to another, and also vary depending upon the type of underlying claim. 

Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is two years from the time the medical malpractice was committed. This legal time frame begins at the point in time when the injured party became aware that they suffered an injury that was the result of medical malpractice. The statute of limitations may also kick in at the time the defendant should have known that they sustained an injury caused by a medical practitioner’s negligent actions.

In Pennsylvania, medical malpractice lawsuits may not be filed more than seven years from the time the medical malpractice was committed. This seven-year time limit applies regardless of whether the injured victim was aware — or should have been aware — that they sustained injury as a result of a doctor or hospital’s negligence. The exception to this seven-year time limit applies to medical malpractice cases when a foreign object was left inside the patient.

Statutes of limitations are important legal deadlines. Failure to file a medical malpractice claim before the statute of limitations runs out will result in the court dismissing your case entirely. If you are considering filing a medical malpractice lawsuit for a birth-related injury and are unsure of whether your case satisfies the legal requirements — or are concerned that you may not meet the filing deadline — it is best to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. The skilled team at Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC offers a free confidential consultation to assist you in making the most informed decision regarding your case.

Pittsburgh Medical Malpractice Attorneys Successfully Recover Damages For Families Across Pennsylvania

When you have suffered harm due to medical malpractice, you may feel particularly wronged. After all, we entrust our doctors to provide the best possible care, to look out for our best interests, and to act appropriately in medical situations.

Filing a claim of medical malpractice after a birth-related injury is particularly difficult. Feelings of joy at the arrival of a newborn are mixed with emotional suffering and pain. Let us help. At Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC, our compassionate medical malpractice attorneys are experienced in skillfully handling these delicate situations. Schedule a free confidential case evaluation with one of our experienced medical malpractice attorneys to discuss your case. Our compassionate legal team will review your case, explain the process, and answer your questions.