Fewer things are more heartbreaking for hopeful New Jersey parents than suffering a miscarriage. You might wonder if it’s possible to sue the hospital overseeing prenatal care.
What can cause a miscarriage?
A miscarriage can occur for a variety of reasons. During a normal, healthy pregnancy, the fetus safely grows while receiving oxygen, blood and nutrients from the mother. If something is wrong with the baby, it can lead to a miscarriage. Usually, miscarriage is caused by a chromosomal disorder that makes the pregnancy unviable. Other causes include physical trauma, serious infection, malnutrition or certain health conditions. In most cases, a miscarriage occurs during the first trimester within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Can a hospital be held liable for a miscarriage?
There are certain situations where a hospital could be held liable for a miscarriage. If a pregnant woman visited a hospital to receive care and was misdiagnosed but later suffered a miscarriage, she may be able to sue the hospital. A misdiagnosis can occur when there is a situation of an ectopic pregnancy that was not detected. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus.
Misdiagnosis can also occur when an ultrasound is wrongly interpreted or the wrong physical exam is given to the mother. If the wrong treatment is administered, it can result in a miscarriage.
Hospitals and medical professionals are held to a high standard to provide a duty of care when treating patients, including pregnant women. If the hospital breaches that duty of care and a woman suffers a miscarriage, she may be eligible to file a lawsuit to recover damages.
If you believe that a hospital was responsible for the loss of your unborn baby, there are actions you can take to protect your rights. You’ll have to gather evidence of the hospital’s negligence to support a malpractice claim.