Rhode Island Placental Abruption Attorney

Justice for Families Affected by Placental Abruption Negligence in Providence

During pregnancy, the mother’s uterus serves as a safe haven for her developing baby. In a standard pregnancy, the placenta supplies the unborn baby with the oxygen and nutrients he or she needs to survive and detaches once the baby is born.

However, a serious complication known as placental abruption occurs when the placenta prematurely separates from the inner wall of the uterus before the baby is delivered. This separation can cause bleeding between the placenta and the uterine wall, leading to decreased oxygen and nutrient supply to the fetus. Placental abruption is an extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition for both the baby and the mother, requiring swift and comprehensive medical care.

If you or your child suffered a placental abruption, and medical negligence may have been the cause, our firm can help. Although this condition happens in only about 1% of American pregnancies, it can be devastating when it occurs. If a medical professional causes a placental abruption, fails to identify it, or does not treat it properly, their negligence could have lasting repercussions.

If you or your baby were injured due to placental abruption negligence, call our Rhode Island placental abruption attorneys today at (401) 200-4059 for a free, confidential case evaluation. We are here to listen and help.

The Critical Role of Timely Diagnosis & Intervention in Placental Abruption

Placental abruption is an emergency. The severity of the separation directly impacts the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the baby, and the risk of severe hemorrhage for the mother.

When a placental abruption occurs, immediate and appropriate medical intervention is paramount. Delays in diagnosis or treatment can lead to severe, life-altering, or even fatal consequences for both mother and infant. Negligence in these situations often involves:

• Failure to properly monitor the mother and baby for signs of distress.
• Failure to recognize or respond to the symptoms of placental abruption in a timely fashion.
• Delay in performing an emergency C-section when indicated, leading to prolonged oxygen deprivation for the baby.

Our Providence placental abruption lawyers understand the precise medical standards required in these emergencies and are prepared to investigate whether those standards were met.

What Causes a Placental Abruption?

Placental abruption is an extremely dangerous complication that occurs when a woman’s placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus. This issue can occur any time after the 20th week of pregnancy, but occurs most often in the third trimester.

Some women are naturally more predisposed to the risk of placental abruption, which is why doctors should be prepared to avoid doing anything to increase those risks. Likewise, doctors should also take action to warn at-risk mothers and take the appropriate course of action to recognize the symptoms of placental abruption and act accordingly.

Symptoms of Placental Abruption

The symptoms of placental abruption can vary but may include:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Abdominal pain
• Back pain
• Uterine tenderness or rigidity
• Sometimes contractions

In severe cases, it can lead to life-threatening complications for both the mother (due to excessive blood loss) and the baby (due to lack of oxygen and nutrients).

Symptoms of Placental Abruption

The symptoms of placental abruption can vary but may include:

• vaginal bleeding
• abdominal pain
• back pain
• uterine tenderness or rigidity
• sometimes contractions

In severe cases, it can lead to life-threatening complications for both the mother (due to excessive blood loss) and the baby (due to lack of oxygen and nutrients).

Who Is Liable for Placental Abruption?

If placental abruption occurs due to negligence, multiple parties could be held liable for the resulting harm. Doctors are responsible for using their knowledge and experience to diagnose and treat their patients with the appropriate care. Nurses must diligently monitor their patients and report any abnormalities. If any healthcare professional fails to provide adequate care, and the patient suffers harm—like a severe placental abruption injury—because of their negligence, they could be liable.

Likewise, the hospital itself could be negligent for systemic issues such as understaffing, hiring underqualified employees, or other acts of negligence that contributed to the patient’s injuries. Our Rhode Island placental abruption attorneys meticulously investigate all potential liable parties to ensure comprehensive accountability.

Why Choose Decof, Mega & Quinn, P.C. for Your Placental Abruption Claim?

When facing the trauma of a placental abruption injury or the tragic loss of a loved one, choosing the right legal team is paramount. At Decof, Mega & Quinn, P.C., we offer unparalleled advantages that make us the clear choice for these complex and sensitive cases:

• Rhode Island's Pioneering Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice Firm: Established in 1975, we were the first law firm in Rhode Island to specialize in personal injury and wrongful death litigation. This legacy means we have been at the forefront of complex medical negligence cases for 50 years, setting the standard for excellence in our state.
• Unmatched Expertise in Medical Malpractice: Placental abruption cases are a critical subset of medical malpractice. Our firm has 9 attorneys specializing in Medical Malpractice Litigation, bringing deep, focused knowledge to every aspect of your claim. We have secured record-setting results in medical malpractice, including a $62 Million judgment for medical negligence, demonstrating our capability in high-stakes birth injury cases.
• Over $1 Billion Recovered for Our Clients: Our firm has recovered over $1 Billion in verdicts and settlements nationwide, including significant compensation for birth injuries and maternal death. This proven track record demonstrates our ability to secure the substantial financial resources needed for lifelong care or to provide justice after a tragic loss.
• Access to Leading Medical Experts: Proving that a placental abruption was caused or worsened by negligence is notoriously difficult due to its technical nature. Our decades of experience in this field, combined with our access to top experts in obstetrics, neonatology, and critical care medicine, enables us to meticulously review medical records, identify deviations from the standard of care, and establish fault. We recruit expert witnesses to provide compelling testimony, ensuring your case is built on the strongest possible medical evidence.
• Client-Centered Advocacy During Profound Distress: We understand how traumatizing and damaging birth injury cases can be, whether they injure the child, the mother, or both. These types of cases are extremely stressful and often very complex, which is why our firm is committed to providing each case with the personalized attention it needs and requires. We work on a contingent fee basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we secure a successful recovery for you. We are committed to providing honest answers and fighting tirelessly to secure the funds and resources you need to care for your child or to find justice after a tragic loss.

Potential Injuries & Outcomes from Placental Abruption Negligence

When medical negligence contributes to or exacerbates a placental abruption, the consequences can be severe for both mother and infant. Our firm represents families dealing with:

• Infant Injuries from Oxygen Deprivation: A primary concern is the lack of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. This can lead to conditions such as:
  • Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): Brain damage due to oxygen deprivation, potentially causing cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and lifelong disabilities.
  • Cerebral Palsy: A neurological disorder affecting movement and muscle coordination, often resulting from brain injury during birth.
  • Organ Damage: Insufficient oxygen can harm other vital organs.
• Maternal Complications: For the mother, complications can include:
  • Severe Hemorrhage: Excessive blood loss, potentially leading to shock, organ failure, or the need for transfusions.
  • Hysterectomy: In severe cases, removal of the uterus may be necessary to control bleeding.
  • Maternal Death: Tragically, placental abruption can be fatal for the mother if not managed correctly.

Our firm has extensive experience with "infant placental abruption medical malpractice" and "infant placental abruption negligence" claims, fighting for justice for both child and mother.

Seeking Justice for Placental Abruption Claims

Nobody should have to question whether their doctor made a mistake or acted negligently, but unfortunately, medical errors happen every day. If your doctor failed to diagnose a potential placental abruption, failed to recognize the signs of an abruption, or did not treat it properly, and you and your child were harmed as a result, our firm can help you.

By taking legal action, our firm can give your family a voice against the hospital or doctor responsible for your injuries. We can help ensure you receive justice and compensation for your damages. Taking legal action for birth injury cases is about more than just seeking medical compensation; it’s about righting a wrong and preventing future harm. At Decof, Mega & Quinn, P.C., our team understands what you’re going through, and we want to help.

Contact Decof, Mega & Quinn, P.C. online today or call (401) 200-4059 to schedule your free, confidential case evaluation with a Providence placental abruption attorney. We accept cases throughout Rhode Island.