A recent report from the inspector general of the Department of Children & Families highlighted the dangers of medical negligence in cases where a patient is pregnant. The report highlights the case of a 34-year old woman being treated at Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee. When the woman went into labor, medical staff ignored her because they falsely believed she was only 28 weeks into pregnancy. The staff even hung up on emergency personnel when the distraught woman managed to contact 911 herself. The inspector general of the Department of Children & Families found that the hospital where the woman was staying was understaffed, staff were not correctly trained to handle the situation, and the woman did not receive the care she needed. As a result, the woman’s child suffered severe birth defects.
Unfortunately, many pregnant women find that they and their families are devastated by birth injuries which are caused by negligence. There are many reasons why these situations happen:
1) Staff fail to listen to a patient’s concerns. In many cases, a woman’s claims that she is concerned about a symptom go unheeded. This can cause doctors to overlook that a patient is in labor or experiencing a complication. In most cases, when prompt help is not delivered in time the woman and the child may suffer permanent injury. In some cases, the child may not survive. In cases where medical staff should have investigated the symptom or should have been aware that something may be wrong, the surviving family may have a Miami medical malpractice lawsuit.
2) Miami misdiagnosis. In some cases, doctors are negligent and end up incorrectly diagnosing an underlying condition or possible complication. This can lead to fatalities or trauma to the unborn child or mother.
3) Incorrect medication or dosage. Women who are pregnant should not be given specific medication because it can cause harm to the unborn child. In cases where medication is needed, it is important for staff to check the safety of the medication as well as the correct dosage. When this does not occur, the patient may suffer serious injuries. In some cases, medication errors and negligence leads to fatalities.
Pregnant women rely on medical staff to help them deliver a child in the safest way possible. In cases where medical negligence or recklessness has caused an injury or a fatality, parents have the option of pursuing a Miami medical malpractice claim. This type of claim can help pay for medical costs related to the injury, lost income, and other expenses caused by the negligence. Miami medical malpractice claims are often necessary when a family has suffered this type of severe injury, since in many cases birth injuries cause a lifetime of medical expenses and care costs. However, proving a medical malpractice case is often complex and required an experienced Miami personal injury attorney. The attorney needs to investigate the situation, work with expert witnesses, and help the family evaluate the costs of the injuries. In addition, the attorney will need to prove that the injuries were caused by negligence or a wrongful act rather than just an accident.
If you have suffered an injury due to what you think may be medical negligence, contact the Flaxman Law Group. A member of the legal team can visit your hospital room, home, or workplace if you cannot travel to the law offices. The Flaxman Law Group is pleased to offer a free initial consultation, so you risk nothing by discussing your case with an experienced personal injury attorney.