No one should have to suffer because of a medical professional’s mistake, but least of all your newborn child. However, negligent mistakes do occur, and when they do, victims like yourself bear the burden of recovery. To aid in that recovery effort, you need to consider retaining the services of an attorney who has experience handling a case like yours. For victims of preeclampsia, a Chattanooga lawyer stands ready to help you recover. Reach out to one of our attorneys today to see what he or she could do for you.
What Is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a condition that is related to high blood pressure and hypertension in an expecting mother. Preeclampsia begins about halfway or over halfway through the pregnancy, after 20 weeks of pregnancy. If left untreated, it could cause serious issues. If that lack of treatment is due to another’s negligence, then victims need to consider the services of a preeclampsia lawyer in Chattanooga.
Preeclampsia is usually related to blood flow issues. If there is not enough blood flow to the uterus and to the child, victims could suffer from damaged blood vessels. It could also be caused by immune system deficiencies, and, sometimes, it could be a genetic issue that causes preeclampsia.
Fortunately, there are treatment options for preeclampsia. There is not a cure per se because preeclampsia is not necessarily a specific disease, but it is controllable and manageable in many cases.
Treatment Options
The most common treatment options for preeclampsia are medications. The main focus is normally to lower the blood pressure of the mother, which is typically dangerously high and could lead to seizures along with a host of other issues. There are also steroid injections that people are given sometimes and other types of medications as well.
Treatment frequently involves bed rest or hospitalization. What doctors usually say is the best cure for preeclampsia is delivery, but often, delivery is not a safe option for the child for a period of weeks, and so most often, it is medication and sometimes just rest and trying to help the mother relax.
Options for Bed Rest
Whether it is better to stay at home or in a hospital depends a lot on the hospital and the patient. If the patient has good care at home, has a good support system at home and is more relaxed at home, sometimes, it is better to stay at home. However, if the patient knows they would be unlikely to stay off their feet, that they would be unlikely to do their normal household chores and other living responsibilities at home, then it may be better to stay in the hospital, but they need to make sure that the hospital is a safe and clean hospital that does not give rise to other problems.
Frequency of Doctor Visits
Doctor’s visits should occur bi-weekly if not more frequently. If preeclampsia is uncontrolled, visits should occur at least every week. Once the preeclampsia is controlled and seems to be no longer severe, it may be a bit less frequent than that.
What Happens If Preeclampsia Is Left Untreated?
If preeclampsia is left untreated, it could cause a whole host of damage. It could do damage to organs, damage to the unborn child, and also damage to the liver and the kidneys of the mother. Among the more severe injuries, preeclampsia could cause seizures, brain injuries as a result of the seizures, and even potentially cause a stroke. If a victim has suffered any of these ailments because of a medical professional’s negligence, then a Chattanooga preeclampsia lawyer could help them recover compensation to address subsequent medical bills.
Effects on the Baby
If the preeclampsia goes untreated, the baby may be experiencing a loss of blood flow. The baby may not be getting the proper amount of blood, proper amount of oxygen, and potentially other things that the baby needs, so it could cause developmental problems. A child that is affected could suffer from birth defects and brain injuries. It is a severe risk to the child if preeclampsia is severe and untreated.
Speak to One of Our Preeclampsia Attorneys in Chattanooga Today
If you have suffered an injury due to a doctor’s inability to treat a preventable condition, then you need to consider fighting for what is right. Fortunately, you yourself do not have to do this on your own. With the help of a Chattanooga preeclampsia lawyer, you could rest and recover while an attorney works hard to obtain the compensation you need. Call today to start your confidential consultation with one of our lawyers.
