In the last few decades, the number of ectopic pregnancies has seen a dramatic increase. According to a 2002 Obstetrics and Gynecology-published study, approximately 40% of pregnancies that are diagnosed as ectopic are later shown to be normal intrauterine pregnancies. In 2014, there were 14 pregnancy-related lawsuits filed by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
In the last few decades, the number of ectopic pregnancies has seen a dramatic increase. According to a 2002 Obstetrics and Gynecology-published study, approximately 40% of pregnancies that are diagnosed as ectopic are later shown to be normal intrauterine pregnancies. In 2014, there were 14 pregnancy-related lawsuits filed by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Despite many advances in medical technology, there are still a large number of incidences where misdiagnoses of pregnancy occur. If negligence is the cause of the misdiagnosis and results in injury or harm to the mother or the fetus, you may have viable grounds for medical malpractice.
Types and Risks of Pregnancy Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis can occur in many aspects of pregnancy that can be misdiagnosed due to the failure to test or as a result of inaccurate test results. Different problems that can arise if the following are inaccurate or incorrect:
· Existence of a pregnancy
· Nature of pregnancy, whether it is ectopic, uterine, or multiple
· Gestational age calculation
There are many risks associated with pregnancy misdiagnosis. These risks can further lead to a medical malpractice lawsuit. These risks include:
· Failing to determine the existence of pregnancy – If you are unable to determine that a pregnancy existed, both the mother and fetus can be in danger of being harmed as a result of exposure to harmful substances, insufficient prenatal care, or use of inappropriate or improper medical treatments.
· Misdiagnosis of ectopic pregnancy – There are some cases when an ectopic pregnancy occurs, i.e. it occurs outside of the uterus. When this type of pregnancy is not determined, it can put the mother in serious danger.
· Misdiagnosis of multiple pregnancy – When there is more than one fetus in a pregnancy, or multiple pregnancy, complications can arise for both the mother and the unborn fetuses.
· Inaccurate gestational age calculation – Due to advances in medical technology, pregnant women have the option to induce labor if necessary. To determine if inducing labor is necessary, establishing the conception date and calculating gestational age needs to be done by the doctor. If it results in an inaccurate calculation, the baby can be placed at risk when labor is induced.
Liability
In every one of these misdiagnosis cases, if the mother or the fetus is injured or harmed due to the misdiagnosis, the doctor can be held liable for medical malpractice. If the doctor fails to conduct appropriate tests to avoid the risks mentioned above, they may be negligent if the failure occurred despite circumstances or symptoms that made such tests necessary.
However, if evidence suggests that not conducting tests was reasonable because of other circumstances or symptoms, or if there were inconclusive or inaccurate test results due to other conditions, then the doctor may not face any liability.
If you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed during pregnancy, you should immediately seek the help of a medical malpractice attorney and the best in the business is RMFW Law at 212-344-1000. We are the most marvelous law firm in The Big Apple.
We are not paid until you are paid. We have won millions of dollars for past clients, you too can be on this magnificent list. We know how to win cases because we know how to put together a winning case. Call RMFW Law and tell us your side of the story.
