When injuries and complications arise, an obstetrician may have committed malpractice. Of course, injuries and complications can and do often occur naturally. Still, malpractice is a potential cause that should not be ignored. Malpractice may impact the physical, emotional, and financial well-beings of women and children.
Obstetrician Malpractice
Obstetricians are held to a certain standard of care for the medical services which they provide. Whenever an obstetrician�s care dips below the baseline standard, he or she is committing malpractice and risks causing injury to the mother and any potential offspring. Some of the more common examples of obstetrician negligence include:
Wrongful Death1 - Negligence can result in the loss of life of either the mother, the child, or both.
Failure to diagnose a medical condition of the mother - An obstetrician is charged with helping ensure the health of both the mother and pregnancies. Whenever an obstetrician fails to perform regular and comprehensive medical examinations, he or she may fail to diagnose a medical condition of the mother and thereby force the mother to face a dangerous pregnancy. Medical conditions may not only affect the health of the child but also the health of the mother and her ability to carry to term and deliver the child.
Failure to identify birth defects - Failing to diagnose birth defects could result in lifelong complications for the child. Scientific advancements can help detect defects that may influence a mother�s personal decision relating to her pregnancy.
Failure to respond to signs of fetal distress - Sometimes, a fetus may show signs of distress and complications that could affect not only its viability but the health of the mother. If a doctor fails to reasonably identify and respond to signs of fetal distress, there could be serious complications for both the mother and the fetus and the mother may lose the child as a result of this negligence.
Wrongful Pregnancy - While obstetricians are instrumental in helping soon-to-be-mothers throughout their pregnancy, obstetricians are also an important piece in helping women avoid pregnancies. When a woman seeks medical services from an obstetrician to avoid pregnancy, she trusts that that she will not become pregnant. A resulting pregnancy can create physical, emotional, and financial complications for the woman.
Recovering Damages from Malpractice
An individual who is injured by an obstetrician�s malpractice is entitled to seek compensation for those losses suffered as a result of the negligence. Some of the more common forms of recovering damages include:
Medical expenses - A woman who experiences avoidable medical complications may require additional medical care, medical treatment, and potential hospitalization. This can also include long-lasting complications that may impact a woman�s health.
Loss of consortium2 - Malpractice can result in the loss of life. Whether it is the child or the mother, an aggrieved party may be able to bring forth a cause an action for the damages from the loss of a loved one as a result of the obstetrician�s negligence.
Pain and suffering - Pregnancy, whether planned or wrongful, has a significant impact upon the mother. Whenever malpractice causes health complications, a loss of life, or other injuries, the woman may suffer a combination of physical and mental suffering.
Contact The Dolman Law Group in Clearwater, Florida to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Personal Injury Attorney
Women should feel confident that the medical help they receive from their obstetricians will be adequate and safe. Malpractice by an obstetrician can have a serious impact on the physical and mental health of a mother and/or child. Additionally, it can have an adverse impact on the woman�s finances. The Dolman Law Group in Clearwater, Florida is committed to representing those affected by medical malpractice. Our team will carefully analyze your case and work diligently to assist you in recovering the full extent of compensation for your losses. Call us today at 727-451-6900 and schedule a free consultation.
Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-451-6900
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-451-6900
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