{"id":353162,"date":"2017-01-09T16:24:55","date_gmt":"2017-01-09T21:24:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/medical-malpractice\/failure-to-diagnose-preeclampsia.html"},"modified":"2025-11-18T15:01:59","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T20:01:59","slug":"failure-to-diagnose-preeclampsia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/medical-malpractice\/failure-to-diagnose-preeclampsia.html","title":{"rendered":"Failure to Diagnose Preeclampsia Lawsuits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Failure To Diagnose Preeclampsia Lawsuits<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Pregnancy comes with many risks for the parent and the baby, and sometimes things don\u2019t go as planned.\u00a0Some pregnancy complications can arise after the 20th week of pregnancy<\/span>, including preeclampsia.<\/p>\n

If you believe that your physician should have caught and treated your preeclampsia complications, speak with a\u00a0birth injury<\/span> attorney<\/span><\/a>. They will review your case<\/a> and help determine if\u00a0you suffered any form of medical malpractice<\/span>. If so, they can file a medical malpractice<\/span> claim<\/span> and handle the paperwork on your behalf.<\/p>\n

Continue reading for an overview of preeclampsia, risk factors<\/span>, and symptoms. This article also covers legal theories under which you may file a personal injury<\/span> lawsuit.<\/p>\n

What Is Preeclampsia?<\/h2>\n

Preeclampsia\u00a0is a serious complication that can occur during the middle or latter stages of pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a medical condition<\/span> affecting the expectant mother<\/span>. A rapid rise in blood pressure characterizes preeclampsia.<\/p>\n

Untreated preeclampsia<\/span> can turn into eclampsia<\/span>. According to the\u00a0Preeclampsia Foundation<\/a>, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death worldwide.<\/p>\n

How Doctors Diagnose Preeclampsia<\/h3>\n

Healthcare professionals usually diagnose preeclampsia during routine blood pressure checks at prenatal appointments. Two blood pressure readings higher than 140\/90, taken at least four hours apart, can indicate this condition.<\/p>\n

A doctor should closely monitor the mother\u2019s health for possible preeclampsia. They can perform several blood, urine, or ultrasound tests to get an accurate diagnosis.<\/p>\n

If pregnancy conditions are left undiagnosed, it can lead to serious complications. A delayed, missed, or incorrect diagnosis typically requires additional medical care<\/span> to address complications. Severe cases<\/span> of a wrong diagnosis or a medical error can include the death of the mother or the unborn baby. Medical malpractice<\/span> cases<\/span> seek to address these serious losses.<\/p>\n

Risk Factors<\/span> for Preeclampsia<\/h3>\n

Several risk factors<\/span><\/a>\u00a0make certain women more susceptible to preeclampsia than others. These risk factors<\/span> include the following:<\/p>\n