While pregnancy is a time of excitement and anticipation, it can also be a time of anxiety for at-risk mothers. Some mothers in Texas who have certain disorders and are older could face complications for both themselves and their babies. While one out-of-state woman knew her pregnancy was risky, she claims she knew how to keep her baby safe. Unfortunately, she says that doctor errors led to the death of her unborn son.
The woman knew that her pregnancy was risky due to her age and blood clotting issues. When she began experiencing severe pain 35 weeks into her pregnancy, she went to the hospital. An emergency room doctor discovered that the woman was suffering from a hematoma, or a pocket of blood, in her abdomen. While an attorney for the woman argued that normal procedure would be to conduct a sonogram to determine whether the hematoma was expanding, the doctor instead discharged her with a prescription for pain medication.
A day after she was discharged, family members discovered the woman, barely conscious. She was rushed to the hospital where it was discovered that the hematoma had increased dramatically in size. While it was unclear if the woman would live at times, she did survive; however, her unborn son did not -- a death that she claims could have been prevented had the doctor she saw in the emergency room chose a different course of action. A jury has recently agreed with her claims, ruling that the doctor and the company that staffs the emergency room are liable for the baby's death. While the defendants apparently intend to appeal the verdict, they have been ordered to pay $2.5 million in damages.
The loss of a child is one of the most difficult things for a person to experience. While the award will not bring back this woman's child, the knowledge that her actions may prevent others from suffering similarly could provide her with some degree of solace. While everyone makes mistakes, an oversight by a medical care professional can have deadly consequences. Those in Texas who are suffering as a result of doctor errors also have legal options that could ultimately ensure that negligent health care providers are held accountable for their actions. Consultation service from the Maloney attorneys is free. Contact us today to get started.
Source: kansascity.com, "After death of unborn son, a rare courtroom victory in medical malpractice case", Eric Adler, June 10, 2016
