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Postpartum Negligence

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Postpartum Negligence Lawyers in Louisville, KY

The months and weeks leading up to the birth of your baby are typically full of promise and excitement. Even with relatively normal labor and delivery, the transition to parenthood is rarely simple. And when doctors fail to provide the right post-partum care, new mothers and newborns can suffer serious health issues that put both their lives in jeopardy. If you put your trust and health in the care of an obstetrician or doctor and they failed, causing you or your baby injury, you have legal options.

Our injury lawyers have years of experience protecting the rights of the injured in Kentucky. We particularly focus on medical malpractice cases, as founder and lead attorney Ronald M. Wilt previously worked defending hospitals against malpractice suits before his current work protecting patients injured by negligent doctors. Our unique perspective gives you the edge you need when building the strongest possible case on your behalf. Contact us in Lexington or Louisville today.

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What is Postpartum Negligence?

Post-partum means after birth, and post-partum injuries can affect both mother and child. This period begins immediately after delivery and typically lasts about six weeks, although it can differ for everyone. Although we most often hear the term “post-partum” regarding depression, during the postpartum period, a mother undergoes both emotional and physical changes. She should remain under a doctor’s watchful care.

Examples of Postpartum Negligence

Like most medical malpractice cases, a post-partum negligence case hinges on a medical professional’s carelessness and the injuries and harm caused by that negligence. Some of the more common examples we see include:

  • Failure to recognize and treat complications. This includes both mother and baby, with complications including things like oxygen loss, uterine hemorrhage, or sudden drops in blood pressure.
  • Medication errors. Doctors or nurses may prescribe or administer the wrong dose, the wrong medication, or a medication to which the mother is allergic. Or, physicians may fail to note potential side effects or medication interactions when prescribing.
  • Improper neonatal care. Failure to monitor a newborn during their first fragile hours of life or a stay in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) can cause life-altering or fatal injuries to the infant.
  • Improper wound care. This can include failure to properly care for a C-section incision or any tears or rips to the vaginal area.

Our injury lawyers can launch an investigation into the chain of events that led to your or your baby’s injuries.

What Kinds of Injuries Are Caused by Postpartum Negligence?

Poor postpartum care can result in serious harm to both mother and child. Failure to diagnose certain conditions or monitor vital signs can lead to permanent injuries or, in the worst cases, even wrongful death. Negligent post-partum care can result in the following:

For the mother:

  • Preeclampsia and eclampsia
  • Severe infections
  • Brain damage
  • Sepsis
  • Hemorrhages
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Coma

For the baby:

  • Jaundice
  • Bone fractures
  • Severe infections
  • Cognitive delays
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Erb’s palsy
  • Respiratory distress
  • Loss of vision and/or hearing
  • Oxygen loss

Our Kentucky medical malpractice lawyers can determine the strength of your case in a free and personal consultation.

What is Preeclampsia and Eclampsia?

Preeclampsia and eclampsia are serious conditions a mother can develop during and post-pregnancy. This is a condition that affects women who are 20 weeks or more pregnant, characterized by a sharp rise in blood pressure in mothers who did not previously exhibit blood pressure complications. It can last throughout the pregnancy and up to six weeks after birth.

Factors that can put women at greater risk of developing preeclampsia include obesity and being 40 years of age or older. When blood pressure rises, it can affect the liver, kidneys, and other organs. Left untreated, preeclampsia can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences.

Many maternal deaths caused by preeclampsia can be prevented if doctors adhere to acceptable standards of care, including:

  • Ordering tests to monitor proteinuria, hypertension, and blood platelets
  • Tracking symptoms associated with preeclampsia, such as swelling of the extremities, headaches, reduced urine, and vision problems
  • Monitoring the mother’s blood pressure throughout the pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum period
  • Identifying the risk factors of developing preeclampsia
  • Inducing delivery or taking other immediate steps to reduce the risk of harm to mother and child

If your or your loved one’s physician failed to diagnose or properly treat preeclampsia, you may be entitled to the following compensation:

  • Current and future medical bills
  • Current and future wage loss
  • Rehabilitation services
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Long-term disability

Do You Have a Medical Malpractice Case?

One of the reasons we advise consulting with an attorney when considering bringing a post-partum negligence claim is that medical malpractice claims tend to be quite complex. For a successful malpractice claim, as the plaintiff, you must demonstrate the following elements:

  • A doctor-patient relationship existed. This means the patient and the physician had a professional relationship where the physician agreed to provide treatment or diagnosis. For example, a person cannot bring a malpractice lawsuit against someone who offered medical advice at a social gathering or online forum.
  • There was an established duty of care. A duty of care is the general standard of safety and care accepted in the physician’s medical community; in other words, how a competent physician would diagnose and treat the patient in question.
  • The physician breached this duty of care. Through negligence, carelessness, or intention, the physician failed to uphold their duty of care to the patient.
  • The breach of care caused you injury. By violating the standard of care, you, as the patient, suffered serious injury.
  • The injury caused damage. These damages include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other losses caused by your injuries.

Our attorneys work to maximize your compensation, whether through negotiations and settlement or going to trial. We are always prepared to go to trial, building you the strongest case possible.

Do you have a post-partum negligence attorney near me?

Wilt Injury Lawyers has offices in Louisville and Lexington:

Louisville Office

13113 Eastpoint Park Blvd. Suite A Louisville, KY 40223
Phone: 502-253-9110

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Lexington Office

196 W. Lowry Lane, Suite 1 Lexington, KY 40503
Phone: 859-263-8818

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