HELLP Syndrome

Pregnancy brings a wide array of changes to a woman’s body. While many of these changes are expected, other changes can be a sign of something more serious. HELLP syndrome is a pregnancy complication that can pose serious health risks to both the mother and the child. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or death due to improperly diagnosed or treated HELLP syndrome, you should reach out to a Baltimore birth injury attorney who can help. At Arfaa Law Group, we can examine the facts of your case and help you understand your legal options.

HELLP syndrome is an extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening complication that may arise during pregnancy. HELLP syndrome stands for hemolysis (breakdown of the red blood cells), elevated live enzymes, and low platelet count. The cause is unknown, but the condition typically affects women in their third trimester. The condition is more common in women who have been diagnosed with preeclampsia. In fact, it occurs in about one in every 500 pregnancies and in up to 20 percent of pregnant women with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia. Possible complications of HELLP syndrome include but are not limited to:

• Infant and maternal lung failure;
• Kidney or renal failure;
• Ruptured liver;
• Stroke;
• Placental abruption;
• Pulmonary edema; and
• Hemorrhages (excessive bleeding).

With prompt diagnosis and treatment, complications can be avoided. Physicians should be monitoring pregnant women for symptoms of preeclampsia. Signs of the syndrome can include high blood pressure, high protein counts in the urine, swelling, and low platelets. In some cases, depending on the specific circumstances, doctors who detect HELLP syndrome will recommend that the baby be delivered prior to the baby’s anticipated delivery date.

A failure to diagnose or treat HELLP syndrome in time can lead to severe health complications for the newborn and, in some cases, even death. If this has happened to your baby or you, our attorneys may be able to file a medical malpractice claim against the at-fault party. Medical malpractice takes place when a medical professional causes harm to a patient by violating the standard of care that a reasonably competent medical professional would have used in the same or similar circumstances. The standard of care is judged based on the conduct of similarly situated health care providers and depends on a number of factors, such as the patient’s age and medical history. In other words, when a mother or newborn is injured, the relevant question becomes: did the medical professionals involved in the pregnancy, labor, or delivery adhere to the standard of care? If the answer is no, they may be liable for malpractice.

Like other civil claims, medical malpractice claims must be filed within a certain time frame, known as the statute of limitations. In Maryland, a medical malpractice claim must be filed within five years from the date of the alleged malpractice or within three years from the time that the injury was discovered, whichever is earlier. When it comes to minors, the statute of limitations is different. As a result, it is important to consult a knowledgeable attorney if your newborn has suffered an injury. We can examine your case and determine the appropriate deadlines that may apply. It is vital to not underestimate the importance of this because failing to file within the statute of limitations could mean losing your right to file a claim altogether.

If you or a loved one has suffered complications related to HELLP syndrome, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. At Arfaa Law Group, our Baltimore attorneys are committed to helping clients obtain the compensation that they rightfully deserve for their harm. Having achieved many substantial settlements and verdicts in these cases, we understand how to prove that a Maryland medical professional was negligent. For a free consultation about your case, call us at 410-889-1850 or contact us online.