Fight for Your Rights After a Prenatal Misdiagnosis in California
Even with the advancement in medical technology, a misdiagnose in the prenatal stage can still occur. When the misdiagnosis occurs because of medical negligence and this ultimately leads to the injury of the fetus or mother, there can be a potential for a medical malpractice claim in the State of California.
Parents of an infant born with genetic disorders or birth defects understand the hardship and pain involved with a prenatal misdiagnosis. Upon learning of their pregnancy, parents wish only the best for their unborn child; and it is devastating to learn that the child will bear the consequence of an incapacitating birth defect.
For the most part, parents will want to learn about a medical condition prior to the birth of the child. Some will choose to know in an attempt to terminate the pregnancy early on; while others will want to know in effort of being able to better prepare and adjust their lifestyles for the birth of their baby.
Commonly Known Types of Prenatal Misdiagnosis Cases
When a child is born with a medical condition, that results from a doctor’s misdiagnosis, there may be an opportunity to file a prenatal misdiagnosis lawsuit.
There are numerous conditions, genetic disorders, or birth defects that can have a great impact on an infant’s quality of life. The following are some of the most widely known medical conditions that are routinely found:
Cystic Fibrosis – Cystic fibrosis is much like Downs Syndrome: it is a lifelong impairing disease. Medical doctors may have the ability to test for the potential of cystic fibrosis even before conception. This is usually done by administering a saliva or blood test to the parents. Since cystic fibrosis is a medical condition that is inherited, conducting a test on the parents can demonstrate if either of the parents is a carrier of the cystic fibrosis gene.
Down Syndrome – Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by an additional chromosome, which may result in mental as well as physical impairments. A mother’s prenatal medical caretakers can conduct blood tests, ultrasounds, or other screening tests in order to help recognize if the unborn baby has Down Syndrome.
Spina Bifida – Spina bifida is a defect that occurs when a baby’s spinal cord or spine are not formed adequately. The medical condition name means to have a split spine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spina bifida has the potential to cause intellectual as well as physical disabilities. These disabilities can range anywhere from mild to severe.
Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose/treat can also result in brain damage and a variety of debilitating conditions.
File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit After a Prenatal Misdiagnosis
The medical industry, along with the field of obstetrics, is held to certain standards of medical care, including the performance of necessary prenatal exams in order to adequately determine the health of the fetus. If your doctor or obstetrician failed to conduct appropriate screening exams, or failed to diagnose/treat conditions properly, you could have the opportunity to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
The attorneys at Heiting & Irwin are experienced in the field of medical malpractice cases. They are dedicated to fighting for the rights of their clients who have suffered as a result of a medical misdiagnosis. Medical malpractice lawsuits are time sensitive; speak to a professional attorney as soon as possible.
