Philadelphia Uterine Rupture Lawyer
A uterine rupture is a rare but life-threatening condition that necessitates immediate medical treatment. The birth of a child is supposed to be a time of celebration. No one expects or is prepared for something as serious and traumatic as a uterine rupture, which can cause serious harm to both the mother and child. In a worst case scenario, a uterine rupture can even lead to death. Failure to identify and treat a uterine rupture is a form of medical malpractice, and the doctor can be held accountable for any damages that you or your loved one suffered. Our Philadelphia uterine rupture lawyer at The Villari Firm, PLLC understands and sympathizes with the pain and sense of loss that you are experiencing, and are here to help you get through these challenging times.
What is a Uterine Rupture?
A uterine rupture is when the uterus tears open during pregnancy, or during vaginal delivery. It is more common in women who have had a C-section in the past. During a C-section, a doctor cuts into the uterus to retrieve the baby, leaving behind a scar that is a weak point in the uterus for future deliveries. Uterine ruptures can be complete or incomplete. A complete rupture tears through all of the uterine layer walls, while an incomplete rupture tears through one or two of the three wall layers.
Uterine Rupture Risks For the Mother and the Baby
Uterine ruptures can lead to life-threatening complications for both the mother and the infant, which is why immediate treatment is necessary. During an untreated or improperly diagnosed uterine rupture, the baby is at risk of brain damage caused by hypoxia, and death by asphyxiation. Brain damage can lead to cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, and substantial intellectual disability. A uterine rupture can cause the mother to lose excessive blood (hemorrhage), lose her ability to get pregnant in the future due to the necessity of a hysterectomy, and death due to blood loss.
Failure to Identify and Treat a Uterine Rupture
Obstetricians and other medical providers have a duty to diagnose and treat uterine ruptures in a timely manner that follows the standard of care. Failure to do so can lead to devastating complications for the mother, the child, or both. Examples of potential medical malpractice include:
- Failure to monitor the fetus’s heartbeat for fetal distress
- Failure to identity of diagnos the uterine rupture in a timely manner
- Failure to perform an emergency C-section
- Failure to get the mother’s bleeding under control
- Failure to take into account the mother’s medical and family history (a C-section should have been performed instead of an attempt at vaginal delivery)
Contact a Philadelphia Uterine Rupture Lawyer Today
A uterine rupture is a preventable complication in many circumstances. It may be that your doctor failed to properly warn you of the risks associated with a vaginal birth following a prior C-section, or that your doctor did not take into account your family history. Failure to act quickly is another type of negligence that should be penalized and compensated for via a medical malpractice claim. To talk with a Philadelphia uterine rupture lawyer today, call The Villari Firm at 215-372-8889 for a free consultation.
