Have you or your baby suffered because of a missed diagnosis during pregnancy in Atlanta, Georgia? Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers can help when you call (770) 390-7550. We offer a free consultation with an Atlanta medical malpractice attorney.
Conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or infections must be detected early to prevent serious harm. When doctors overlook warning signs, both mother and child can face life-changing consequences.
Our team is here to help you pursue accountability and the compensation needed to protect your family’s future.
Why Choose Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers?
When doctors miss pregnancy-related conditions, families are left facing devastating consequences. At Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers, we have the experience, resources, and dedication to guide clients through these challenges.
Clients in Atlanta, GA choose us because:
- We bring more than 50 years of experience to the practice of medical malpractice and severe injury law.
- We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.
- Our attorneys have earned recognition as Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America, along with the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
- We provide personalized attention, clear communication, and relentless advocacy for every client.
- Our legal team carefully gathers evidence, works with respected experts, and fights for every dollar families deserve.
Families deserve strong support and skilled representation after medical negligence. For trusted guidance, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an Atlanta personal injury attorney and take the first step toward protecting your future.
What Does Failure To Diagnose Mean?
Failure to diagnose means a provider missed or delayed the diagnosis of a condition they should have caught. It may rise to the level of malpractice when it causes harm to the mother or child. During pregnancy, failure to diagnose may involve:
- Dismissing symptoms
- Failing to order the correct tests
- Failing to monitor the mother’s or the baby’s condition and vital signs
- Misreading results
- Misdiagnosing a condition
- Failing to perform a C-section when necessary
These failures may result in treatment delays, complications, or serious injuries.
Not every missed diagnosis is medical malpractice. Providers aren’t expected to be perfect, but they are expected to meet the basic medical standard of care. This means providing the level of care of a reasonably competent, skilled doctor.
If the provider’s failure caused serious harm to you or your baby, you may have grounds for a legal claim.
What Medical Conditions May Be Missed During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy requires careful monitoring, and when providers fail to recognize warning signs, both mother and baby may face serious consequences. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are critical to preventing life-altering complications.
Common conditions that may go undiagnosed include:
- Premature labor: Missed symptoms can lead to early delivery and long-term health problems for the baby.
- Umbilical cord issues: Problems like compression, prolapse, or entanglement may restrict oxygen and cause brain damage or death if not addressed quickly.
- Placenta problems: Conditions such as placental insufficiency, previa, or abruption can cause severe bleeding, poor growth, or harm to both mother and child.
- Preeclampsia: Without regular monitoring, this condition may go unnoticed and result in seizures, stroke, or maternal death.
- Gestational diabetes: Missed diagnoses can lead to delivery complications, high birth weight, or health issues for the baby.
- Maternal infection: Untreated infections like Group B strep or Listeria can cause premature birth, brain damage, or stillbirth.
- Ectopic pregnancy: Failing to detect this life-threatening condition may result in internal bleeding and emergency surgery.
- Blood incompatibility (RH or ABO): Missed screening can lead to anemia or heart failure in the baby.
- Fetal distress: Unrecognized oxygen deprivation during labor can cause permanent brain injury or death.
- Fetal conditions: Undetected abnormalities may prevent parents from preparing for treatment or specialized care.
- Abnormal fetal presentation: Breech or transverse positions may go unnoticed, leading to dangerous complications during delivery.
When these conditions are missed, families are left facing devastating outcomes that could often have been prevented with proper care.
What Are the Consequences of Failing To Diagnose a Medical Condition During Pregnancy?
A missed diagnosis can lead to delayed treatment, the wrong interventions, or no treatment at all. This may mean avoidable complications, injury, disability, or even death for the mother and baby.
In many cases, the consequences affect families for a lifetime. Some of the most common complications and outcomes include:
- Birth injuries
- Brain injuries, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
- Cerebral palsy
- Stillbirth or neonatal death
- Hemorrhage or excessive bleeding
- Emergency or unnecessary C-section
- Uterine rupture
- Preterm birth and complications from prematurity
- Permanent disabilities
- Organ failure or stroke in the mother
Maternal, neonatal, and postneonatal death rates in the U.S. are much higher compared to other developed countries. Inadequate prenatal care is one of many factors that may contribute to avoidable deaths.
When a doctor fails to meet basic standards of care, they should be held accountable for the harm they cause. If you or your baby were hurt due to a missed diagnosis, legal action may help you get the support and justice you deserve.
Who Can Be Held Liable For Failure To Diagnose Malpractice?
When a diagnosis is missed during pregnancy, more than one party may be legally responsible. Liability depends on who was involved in your care and how the mistake occurred.
Those who may be held accountable include:
- Obstetricians: Failing to recognize or act on warning signs during pregnancy.
- Nurses and other staff: Overlooking symptoms or not following proper procedures.
- Radiologists: Misreading ultrasounds or failing to detect complications.
- Lab technicians: Reporting inaccurate or incomplete test results.
- Hospitals or clinics: Allowing systemic issues, such as poor communication or inadequate protocols, to contribute to harm.
Each of these parties has a duty to provide proper care, and when they fail, families may be entitled to hold them accountable.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers
Have you or your baby suffered harm because a medical provider failed to diagnose a condition during pregnancy in Atlanta, GA? You may be entitled to damages for the financial, physical, and emotional harm you have suffered.
Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers is here to help you. We have stood up to insurance companies and negligent medical providers for more than 50 years. We will fight for the full compensation and justice you deserve to safeguard your future.
Contact our law office today to schedule your free consultation with an Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer. Let’s discuss what happened to you and what we can do to help.