It is important pregnant women know the warning signs so they can seek appropriate treatment. A Cleveland medical malpractice lawyer may help Ohio families whose doctor failed to properly address the condition or any childbirth complications of the mother or child.

Causes and Symptoms of Eclampsia 

It is not easy to determine who will and who will not develop this condition because the root causes are not fully understood.

It is believed, however, that certain factors may contribute such as: 

• genes;
• diet;
• neurological factors; and
• problems with blood vessels. 

In addition, the following women are known to have been at higher risk in the past those: 

• carrying multiple babies;
• aged 35 or older;
• in their teen years;
• who are African-American; 
• who have a history of diabetes;
• who have a history of kidney problems; and/or
• who have high blood pressure.

In addition to seizures that characterize eclampsia, symptoms may include agitation or unconsciousness.

Women should seek immediate medical care if they notice: 

• bright red blood from the vaginal area;
• severe headache;
• abdominal pain;
• vision loss;
• nausea;
• vomiting; or
• that the baby is not moving.

Women should also be aware of symptoms of preeclampsia, of which eclampsia may be a serious complication. 

Women with preeclampsia may have: 

• high blood pressure;
• headaches;
• vision problems;
• hand/face swelling; and
• other symptoms that should be discussed with a doctor.

In some cases, the placenta may separate or the child may be born prematurely, which can put the child at risk for compilations. This is why it’s so important that these conditions and any childbirth complications of the mother are properly addressed. If they are not, a Cleveland medical malpractice lawyer can review an Ohio family’s case with an expert to determine if proper care was given.

Treatment for Eclampsia 

For best results, treatment should be started while the woman is in the mild stages of preeclampsia. Once the woman’s condition advances to eclampsia, complications are more likely to occur. Anti-seizure medication, such as magnesium sulfate, may be given to those who suffer from seizures. Steroids may be given if the fetus is fewer than 32 weeks old. Those with high blood pressure may be given appropriate medication as well.

To prevent eclampsia, some women with severe preeclampsia may be advised to deliver the child; still, the goal is to keep the baby in the womb for as close to 40 weeks as possible. This may reduce the risk of complications caused by premature delivery. The baby may be delivered at around 32 weeks if the condition is severe. For milder cases, delivery at 36-37 weeks may ideal. 

Many women who experience eclampsia have a good prognosis, while some may have elevated blood pressure after delivery. The babies often also fare well. If born prematurely, they will likely need to stay in the hospital for monitoring.

Although many babies and their mothers live fairly normal lives after eclampsia, some mothers and babies experience serious complications. Many complications present in the babies are attributed to premature birth. A condition called HELLP, which negatively affects liver function and causes anemia and low platelet counts, may cause complications and could increase risk of maternal death. 

Contacting a Cleveland Medical Malpractice Lawyer for an Ohio Case 

Failure to diagnose this condition or failure to provide proper treatment can result in liability issues for medical providers. Mellino Robenalt LLC can help clients who have suffered injury as a result of negligence related to childbirth complications for the mother or child. Victims and their families can set up a consultation in Cleveland with a medical malpractice lawyer in Ohio to review the details of their case related to diagnostic failure or poor handling of eclampsia or preeclampsia that causes childbirth complications for the mother or child.

The condition may be diagnosed in pregnant women who have high blood pressure (and who previously did not have high blood pressure) and protein in their urine after 20 weeks. Without prompt treatment, serious conditions or even death can result. If a doctor fails to manage the condition, an Ohio injury lawyer may examine whether it could be considered medical negligence. 

Symptoms of Preeclampsia 

Preeclampsia may cause excessive swelling in the hands, feet, ankles and eye area, though this may also be present in pregnant women who do not have this condition. Excessive and rapid weight gain may also be a symptom; an increase of several pounds a week may require medical attention.

In serious cases, preeclampsia can cause: 

• severe headaches;
• stomach pain;
• vomiting; and
• sudden changes in vision, such as blurriness, temporary vision loss, and increased sensitivity to light.

Treating Preeclampsia 

The severity of the condition and how far along in the pregnancy the woman is will determine treatment. For mild cases, bed rest and frequent blood pressure monitoring at home may be all that is required. If the woman is at least 37 weeks along, she may be induced to prevent stress on the baby.

If the condition is severe, hospitalization may be required for the remainder of the pregnancy. Medications may be given to prevent seizures and lower blood pressure. If preeclampsia worsens, an emergency C-section may be performed.

Contacting an Ohio Injury Lawyer 

Preeclampsia can lead to serious complications, including death. Timely treatment is of utmost importance. An Ohio injury lawyer at Mellino Robenalt LLC can help mothers who do not receive proper treatment for problems during pregnancy – such as preeclampsia – and who wish to pursue options for recovering resulting damages.

If during pregnancy an infection develops, the only way to treat it may be to use antibiotics or some other form of prescription medication. Although many are not harmful to the mother or fetus, some can have serious effects on an unborn baby. If a doctor’s error during pregnancy causes infection or if a doctor prescribes a harmful medication, women and their families may have a case of medical malpractice in Ohio.

Dangerous Drugs for Treating an Infection During Pregnancy 

Drugs that are harmful to the baby during pregnancy are called teratogens.

These include antibiotics such as: 

• streptomycin;
• tetracycline;
• metronidazole; and
• doxycycline. 

There are other medications that should be avoided as well, such as acne medications, ACE inhibitors, and anti-seizure and thyroid medications.

Penicillin, ampicillin and amoxicillin are commonly prescribed to treat pregnancy infections and are safe to use when taken correctly. Over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen are generally safe as well. These do not appear to cause birth defects, but should be used sparingly in the later stages of the pregnancy. Talk to your doctor before taking any medication – prescription or over-the-counter – to ensure it is safe to do so.

Contacting an Attorney about Medical Malpractice in Ohio 

Some pregnant women may be given unsafe medications for treating an infection during pregnancy. If these medications are prescribed by a doctor and result in complications for the mother or baby, the doctor may be held liable. Mellino Robenalt LLC can help victims understand their legal rights pertaining to medical malpractice in Ohio. Contact us today at 440-333-3800 if a medical error related to treating an infection during pregnancy has caused injury.

Infections during pregnancy can cause many complications including: 

• pneumonia;
• brain damage;
• premature labor;
• developmental delays; and
• even death.

If the infection isn’t addressed properly or a doctor causes the infection, an Ohio medical malpractice lawyer in Cleveland can assist clients in holding the liable party responsible. 

Group B Streptococcus 

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is among the most common life-threatening pregnancy infections for newborns. Up to 25 percent of pregnant women are considered asymptomatic carriers of GBS and most of these women don’t even know they have the disease.

GBS can cause a host of medical problems in women, including: 

• abscesses in the pelvis;
• urinary tract infections;
• meningitis; and
• cystitis, though only around one percent of women with GBS have symptoms.

If the baby shows signs of GBS infection after birth, these symptoms may be associated with pneumonia, meningitis or sepsis. Babies who survive face the risk of vision loss, hearing problems and developmental delays.

Pregnant women who are carriers of GBS may be given penicillin during labor and delivery to prevent transmission of the disease to the fetus. If the mother is allergic to these medications, she may be given other medications as alternatives. If a doctor fails to test for or treat this infection, an Ohio medical malpractice lawyer may help Cleveland mothers with any legal action if they or their child is harmed.

Syphilis 

Women who have syphilis may transmit the infection to the child. When a mother has a pregnancy infection like syphilis and fails to manage it, rate of fetal infection increases, as do the health risks for the baby. Stillbirth and late abortion may result from an untreated case of syphilis.

The earlier treatment of the infection during the pregnancy is administered, the better the chance of avoiding serious injury to the baby. The mother may be screened for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases as well if syphilis is detected. Penicillin is the only drug that can be used to treat syphilis in pregnant women. If a woman is allergic to penicillin, measures may be taken that could allow the drug to be administered. 

Listeriosis 

Listeriosis is a rare pregnancy infection, but it can be very serious. It is caused by eating contaminated food. Pregnant women are 13 times more likely to contract listeriosis than women who are not pregnant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The infection causes flu-like symptoms, such as fever, muscle aches, diarrhea and nausea. Many women have no symptoms.

Even though the symptoms of this pregnancy infection appear mild, the damage can be serious. It can cause the baby to be born prematurely and infected. Infection of the fetus may result in septicemia, meningoencephalitis, and other serious complications. Those who test positive for listeriosis are given antibiotics to reduce the spread of the infection to the baby. 

Urinary Tract Infections 

Although a urinary tract infection may not be so serious for a woman who is not pregnant, it can be a potentially dangerous pregnancy infection. When the urinary tract develops an infection during pregnancy, it can result in asymptomatic bacteriuria.

Urinary tract infections may cause the baby to be born premature and it can also lead to: 

• maternal anemia;
• low birth weight; and
• hypertension.

Urinary tract infections are often treated with antibiotics.

Contacting an Ohio Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Cleveland 

Failure to provide proper care may be considered medical negligence and could result in filing a claim in Ohio with a medical malpractice lawyer in Cleveland for injuries related to infections during pregnancy. 

Failing to provide proper care can include: 

• neglecting to address known infections;
• not screening for infection; and
• actually causing infection.

Mellino Robenalt LLC can help clients understand their legal options following an injury related to infection during pregnancy. Contact them at 440-333-3800 and order the free book Was it A Mistake? Your Ohio Medical Malpractice Questions Answered. Families dealing with complications of pregnancy infections related to malpractice can set up a free consultation to speak with an Ohio medical malpractice lawyer in Cleveland.

Health Care Costs of a Brain Injury 

When patients are in a vegetative state, they need constant care in order to ensure overall health: that they don’t contract infections, that they’re fed and given proper nutrition, and that they’re cleaned and proper hygiene is maintained.

Patients in a vegetative state may require: 

• a feeding tube in order to ensure they have the vitamins and nutrients necessary to stay healthy;
• constant turning and rotating to prevent bedsores from occurring;
• a catheter, or assistance from a nurse or medical professional, to assist with bowel and bladder movements;
• management of breathing, often through a tracheostomy tube;
• prevention, treatment and management of any infections or viruses;
• care for any other existing medical issues, such as seizures and fevers; and
• physical therapy to keep muscles active and limber. 

The cost of these treatments doesn’t even include the initial expenses for the victim’s emergency care, trauma treatment and care during a coma. When calculating health care costs, it’s important that an Ohio medical malpractice attorney in Cleveland also considers long-term costs of the brain injury in addition to more immediate or existing costs.

Other Costs Associated with Brain Damage and a Vegetative State 

In addition to the costs associated with the health care and treatment of a patient in a persistent vegetative state, there are also a number of other external costs that are incurred.

While a patient is in a vegetative state, external costs may include: 

• lost wages from the patient, both current and future;
• lost wages from family members because of the time their loved one’s condition requires them to be away from work; and
• transportation costs incurred by visiting the patient often in the hospital or care facility.

If the patient begins to recover or emerge from a vegetative state, families may face even more costs associated with the brain injury. These can include everything from physical therapy, speech and language assistance, occupational therapy and more. The patient also may need constant care at a hospital, nursing facility or through a personal caretaker that an Ohio medical malpractice attorney in Cleveland will consider if pursuing a claim.

When a Vegetative State is the Result of Malpractice 

If a patient’s brain damage and vegetative state is the result of medical malpractice or negligence, victims and their families may have grounds for a legal claim against the negligent party who caused the patient’s brain damage to recover the costs of the brain injury.

To learn more about filing a claim or to discuss a specific case, victims and their loved ones can call 440-333-3800 to speak to an Ohio medical malpractice attorney at Cleveland’s Mellino Robenalt LLC. During consultation, clients can go over the costs of the brain injury and how these expenses may be recovered.

When related to medical mistakes, a medical malpractice lawyer in Ohio can help families examine whether negligence may have been to blame.

Some common birth injuries suffered because of mechanical forces include: 

• Extracranial injuries – These are injuries to the baby’s head and can include: caput succedaneum, or a swelling of the head’s soft tissue; cephalohematomas, or a rupture of blood vessels between the skull and periosteum; and subgaleal hemorrhaging, which causes blood to build up between the epicranial aponeurosis and the periosteum.
• Soft tissue injures – These can include abrasions, bruising, cuts, lacerations, necrosis and more.
• Facial injuries – These include injuries to the eye and eyelid, as well as cuts to the scalp and face.
• Fractures – The clavicle, skull and bones in the arms and legs may be susceptible to fractures.
• Neurologic injures – These may include brachial plexus nerve injuries, Erb’s Palsy, spinal cord injury and damage to the facial nerves.
• Abdominal injuries – These may include spleen rupture, distension and liver injuries.

Getting Legal Help from a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Ohio after Mechanical Birth Trauma 

Some traumatic events and injuries can have long-lasting effects on the infant’s health, happiness and overall quality of life. Parents whose child has suffered because of improper application of mechanical forces or other medical mistakes during delivery may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.

Victims could be due compensation for treatment costs, pain, suffering and more. Call 440-333-3800 to speak to a medical malpractice lawyer in Ohio at Mellino Robenalt LLC to discuss your legal case involving birth injuries from medical mistakes.

Traction and Assisted Birth Trauma 

If excessive traction (often caused by the doctor pulling too quickly or forcefully) is required to deliver the child, it can also result in birth injuries and trauma.

The most common type of traction injury occurs to the brachial plexus, a bundle of nerves that controls movement of the child’s: 

• arm;
• shoulder;
• hand; and
• fingers.

When excessive traction is used to free the baby from the birth canal, usually because the shoulder is trapped behind the mother’s pelvic bone, it can injure, stretch or tear this delicate area of nerves and lead to temporary or even permanent paralysis.

Depending on the severity of the brachial plexus injury, the baby may or may not fully recover. If the nerves are stretched, it is possible to regain full movement of the arm and hand. If the nerves are torn or ripped, however, a nerve graft may be required and full recovery may not be possible. Medical costs and other damages may be recoverable if a doctor’s negligent actions were to blame for the injuries or excessive mechanical forces were used. An Ohio medical malpractice attorney in Cleveland can help parents establish their damages and liability for injuries.

Forceps and Vacuum Extractions and Assisted Birth Trauma 

Forceps and vacuums are often used to remove babies from the womb who are: 

• breeched;
• stuck; or
• otherwise unable to be delivered on their own.

While their use may cause minor injury, if not used correctly they can result in serious newborn head injuries and trauma to the child.

Some possible newborn head injuries caused by the use of forceps and vacuums include: 

• facial paralysis;
• caput succadeaneum, a swelling of the baby’s scalp tissues;
• facial and cranial nerve damage;
• subaponeurotic hemorrhage, in which blood accumulates beneath the skull; and
• fractures and broken bones.

With some injuries, including bruising, cuts, lacerations, and broken bones, the child may be able to fully recover and suffer no long-term consequences. With others, such as nerve damage or paralysis, the effects may be permanent and may warrant help from an Ohio medical malpractice attorney in Cleveland to address long-term costs and damages.

Risk Factors for Assisted Birth Trauma 

There are some factors that may make a newborn more susceptible to assisted birth trauma such as newborn head injuries and neck injuries.

Some of these include: 

• the baby is larger than average;
• forceps or vacuums are used;
• the baby is in a breeched position;
• there is excessive traction or force used during delivery;
• the labor is particularly prolonged or difficult; and
• the mother’s pelvis is small.

Attending physicians are responsible for recognizing these risk factors and responding to them appropriately before and during the child’s delivery. If birth trauma or injury is suffered, it could be considered medical malpractice and the child’s parents may have grounds for a legal claim with help from an Ohio medical malpractice attorney in Cleveland.

Filing a Malpractice Claim with Help from an Ohio Medical Malpractice Attorney in Cleveland 

Parents whose child has suffered because of mechanical birth trauma like newborn head injuries or problems with the neck or shoulder related to medical negligence may call Mellino Robenalt LLC at 440-333-3800 or 216-241-1901 to set up a consultation with an Ohio medical malpractice attorney in Cleveland. Victims could be due compensation for any medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering and other damages associated with the assisted birth trauma.

Whether a medical malpractice claim is a viable option in a case involving brain damage from medical malpractice depends on a number of factors, including: 

• the nature of the malpractice;
• the severity of the injury before and after the malpractice;
• the permanency of the injury before and after the malpractice; and
• the type of further medical care and treatment the malpractice will require.

In order to prove a malpractice claim, victims and their Ohio brain injury lawyers will need to prove: 

• The patient suffered actual injury or death – Medical records can attest to this fact.
• The doctor or hospital involved in the patient’s care made an error or was negligent – Often, this can be proven with the help of an expert medical witness. The witness will detail standard of care for the patient’s treatment or condition and, if the doctor deviated from that, it could prove negligence or improper care.
• There is a direct link between the injury and the negligence or error –  This may also be shown through medical records and testimony.

Anyone who is considering a malpractice claim should discuss his or her case with an attorney as soon as possible.

Get Help from Ohio Brain Injury Lawyer for PVS Medical Malpractice Claim 

In Ohio, defendants of malpractice claims must be notified within one year of the incident if a suit is going to be filed, and then the suit must be filed with 180 days of the notice. Family members whose loved one has entered a persistent vegetative state because of medical malpractice or negligence should call 440-333-3800 to speak to an attorney at Mellino Robenalt LLC to discuss his or her case of brain damage from medical malpractice.

Possible Signs of Birth Mistakes 

Some of the possible signs that may point to labor and delivery errors include: 

• Failing to plan for a larger baby – Doctors can perform ultrasounds prior to the due date to estimate the size of a baby. If the doctor feels the baby might be born larger than average, he or she may discuss a Cesarean section with the mother, or take other precautions to account for possible complications.
• Failing to monitor – When a woman is in labor, she is hooked up to monitors that display the baby’s heartbeat rate and oxygen level. If these levels happen to fall suddenly, the baby may be in distress and the doctor must act urgently. If the doctor does not monitor the fetus – or doesn’t respond to possible distress right away – it may be considered medical malpractice in Ohio.
• Delaying a Cesarean section – Similarly, when the labor fails to progress, the baby may become distressed. When this occurs, every moment counts. Not addressing fetal distress (which may require performing a C-section right away) could put the baby’s life at risk.
• Misuse of birthing instruments – Forceps and vacuum extraction must be used properly. Too much force could cause injury to the cranial nerves that affect facial muscles.
• Using Pitocin inappropriately -This drug helps speed up or induce labor. Using it in large amounts, at the wrong time, or for a mother who is allergic to it or should otherwise not be given this drug could cause serious injury and may be considered malpractice.

Contacting an Ohio Medical Malpractice Lawyer 

Victims of medical malpractice in Ohio can discuss their cases with lawyers for help pursuing claims for damages. Contact Mellino Robenalt LLC at (440) 333-3800 to set up a consultation with an Ohio medical malpractice lawyer to review circumstances of birth mistakes and injuries and for help collecting evidence and securing medical expert testimony.

It was 2005 when the plaintiff took her young daughter to a pediatrics center to see her regular doctor. That physician was not available and another doctor looked at the plaintiff’s daughter. The mother was concerned about her daughter’s fever, headache and sore neck. The new doctor, who had only just completed her medical residency, diagnosed allergies, and sent the child home with allergy medication.

According to trial records, the plaintiff asked the defendant if there were other tests that could be done, as she did not think her child was having allergy issue. Apparently, the doctor said no further tests were necessary. Still concerned, the mother asked the physician to take a blood sample, just in case her daughter might have meningitis, an inflammation of the brain tissue caused by an infection in the brain. Classical symptoms include a stiff neck, headaches and fever. Untreated, it may lead to permanent brain damage and/or death. The doctor supposedly ruled out that possibility.

Two days later, the plaintiff discovered her daughter having a seizure and rushed her to the hospital. Emergency physicians informed the mother her child had meningitis, had a stroke and was in a coma. Three weeks later, the child woke up at a different hospital with severe brain damage. She is no longer able to speak, eat or walk and will need to re-learn all of these skills in order to function as best as she can. It is expected that she will never have full adult functioning and will need care for the rest of her life. Calculations relating to the child’s life expectancy and cost of medical care amounted to approximately $14 million.

Further evidence included in the case showed that the child’s medical file had a notation in it made by the defendant doctor that said she suspected the child had viral meningitis. Despite her suspicions, she did nothing further and did not order a spinal tap. Due to the negligence of the defendant doctor, the child has ended up with severe brain-damage.

This medical malpractice lawsuit is about many things, not the least of which is compensation for the child to care for her for the rest of her life and hold the doctor responsible for her negligence. It is also about sending a message to raise awareness about viral meningitis and for people to insist on a spinal tap if they suspect they may have the disease. What begins as a lawsuit founded in medical malpractice may have other repercussions in the future, particularly if the case acts as a warning to another doctor faced with similar symptoms in a patient, and that doctor then goes the extra mile to diagnose a suspected disease correctly.

If you are faced with a situation in which you feel you have been the victim of medical malpractice, you need to speak to a skilled Cleveland medical malpractice lawyer. Not all bad medical outcomes are classified as malpractice and you need to know if you have a case before proceeding. Only a Cleveland medical malpractice lawyer can evaluate your case.

Learn more at http://www.christophermellino.com/