NY Preeclampsia Birth Injury Lawsuit Filed In Bronx Supreme Court

Birth Injury

A new lawsuit pending in Bronx County Supreme Court alleges birth injury malpractice caused the untimely death of the plaintiff’s baby while in utero. According to the claim, the defendants failed to diagnose and treat the mother’s preeclampsia in a timely manner and failed to treat her placental abruption and fetal distress. The claimant’s baby died on November 6, 2011, while she was under the care of doctors at St. Barnabas Hospital.

The civil action lists St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, the St. Barnabas OB-GYN PC and Transcare Corporation as defendants.

Accusations made in NY preeclampsia birth injury lawsuit

The mother plaintiff argues that the loss of her child and resulting emotional distress and pain and suffering were a direct result of the defendant’s negligence and malpractice.

The attending hospital staff is charged with the following actions, which allegedly led to mother’s injuries and death of her child:

  • Failure to timely transfer the plaintiff to the hospital
  • Failure to properly notify St. Barnabas Hospital of the plaintiff’s condition in-route
  • Failure to timely diagnose and treat preeclampsia, fetal distress and placental abruption
  • Failure to monitor her child’s fetal heart rate
  • Failure to deliver the child in a timely manner

The Bronx mother is suing on two counts: medical malpractice and lack of informed consent for certain medical treatments and diagnostic procedures. The claimant’s birth injury lawyers are requesting monetary damages for her permanent injuries, emotional trauma, and the premature death of her child.

Dangers and risks of placental abruption

Placental abruption can prove fatal to mother and baby if not treated swiftly. Once the placenta separates from the uterine lining wall, the fetus is slowly starved of life-giving oxygen. The mother can suffer from kidney failure, shock from excessive blood loss (often requiring a transfusion), while the baby is at high risk for permanent brain damage from oxygen deprivation, premature birth, or stillbirth.

In this particular case, the mother’s delivery was further complicated by preeclampsia – a condition that likely led to her placental abruption. Characterized by dangerously high blood pressure, preeclampsia may contribute to a cascade of health complications for both mother and fetus, including edema, poor kidney function, HELLP Syndrome (destruction of red blood cells), seizures and maternal cardiac problems later on.

In situations involving severe preeclampsia in gestations that have reached 34 weeks, induction of labor is generally necessary. Pregnant mothers who are less than 34 weeks along are usually kept on bed rest in the hospital and closely monitored for complications.

If jurors find that the defendant physicians failed to monitor the fetal heart rate and detect symptoms of distress after the mother suffered placental abruption, they may find for the plaintiff if it is believed that proper standards of care were not provided.

Advocacy from New York birth injury lawyers

The anticipated birth of a child is supposed to be a time of happiness and joy, but all too often, unforeseen complications can arise. If your family has suffered the loss of a newborn or suspect negligence played a pivotal role in your baby’s injuries, The Sanders Firm is here to help during your time of need.

Experts in malpractice litigation involving birth injury cases, our attorneys have access to seasoned health care professionals who will help determine liability so we can pursue justice on your behalf. To learn more about your options for legal recourse, please call our New York offices anytime 24/7 at 1-800-FAIR-PLAY. Resources

  1. Baby Center, Preeclampsia http://www.babycenter.com/0_preeclampsia_257.bc?page=2#articlesection10
  2. Mayo Clinic, Placental Abruption Complications http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/placental-abruption/basics/complications/con-20024292