You could receive compensation for placental abruption in a Florida medical malpractice case if a provider’s negligence caused this condition. Placental abruption happens when the placenta separates from the uterus, causing potentially severe bleeding that may endanger both mother and child. While this condition itself not preventable, a provider’s failure to diagnose or treat it could mean that you and your baby suffer preventable harm from this condition.
Our Florida birth injury lawyers can provide direct, actionable advice regarding a potential case. If one or more medical providers did not honor their duty of care to protect you and your child, they may have been negligent. Such negligence is the basis for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit.
What Types of Damages Might Be Part Of A Placental Abruption Medical Malpractice Case?
Placental abruption can have devastating, lifelong consequences. When a baby is deprived of oxygen due to this condition, it may lead to cerebral palsy (CP), hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), or other serious neurological injuries. These conditions often result in:
- Permanent physical or cognitive impairments
- Chronic pain and suffering
- Loss of independence and diminished quality of life
Mothers may also experience severe bleeding, reproductive complications, or lasting psychological trauma. When medical negligence contributes to these outcomes, families may face profound financial and emotional burdens. Recoverable damages can include:
- Current and future medical and rehabilitation costs
- Specialized equipment and home modifications
- Full- or part-time caregiving expenses
- Lost income (parental and future earning capacity of the child)
- Pain and suffering for both mother and child
These cases are not only about accountability—they’re about securing the resources needed to care for your child and rebuild your family’s future.
What If The Child Passed Away As A Result of Placental Abruption?
Because placental abruption can obstruct oxygen flow to the fetus, there is a chance that this condition will be fatal. If you have lost a child as a result of this condition, our team extends its condolences.
A Florida wrongful death lawyer can help pursue compensation for your grief and the many other types of harm that tend to result when a birth injury is fatal. We want justice for you, whatever your circumstances are.
Lawyers Must Identify Examples Of Negligence In Placental Abruption Cases
The journal StatPearls explains that placental abruption is typically a sudden condition. Yet, it’s a condition that any obstetrician should be prepared for, and the proper response to a placental abruption is generally:
- Immediate transport to a hospital with an advanced obstetrical unit and neonatal intensive care unit
- Providing the mother with supplemental oxygen and intravenous fluids
- Monitoring both the mother and fetus closely as the medical professionals gather medical histories
Placental abruption during birth does not automatically mean a provider was negligent. However, the care you received during birth (or perhaps did not receive) is often what is considered negligence.
When someone is negligent, they do not act in a manner that an objective third party would consider “reasonable.” In the medical context, this might mean the negligent party failed to protect the mother or child through all reasonable precautions.
What Forms of Negligence Might Cause Or Contribute To Placental Abruption?
In cases involving placental abruption, medical negligence by healthcare providers can have devastating consequences for both mother and baby. Examples of negligent care that may contribute to or worsen outcomes include:
- Failure to Respond to Warning Signs: Medical professionals may overlook or dismiss symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, or contractions—signs that should prompt immediate evaluation for placental abruption.
- Inadequate Diagnostic Efforts: After symptoms are reported, failing to order appropriate diagnostic tests (like ultrasound or fetal monitoring) can delay diagnosis and critical intervention.
- Misdiagnosis: Incorrectly attributing symptoms to other, less serious conditions can result in a dangerous delay in recognizing and treating placental abruption.
- Insufficient Prenatal Monitoring: Obstetricians and other care providers have a duty to closely monitor patients with known risk factors for placental abruption. A lack of attentive screening and failure to adjust the care plan accordingly may constitute negligence.
- Delayed Emergency Delivery: Once placental abruption is identified, prompt delivery—often via emergency C-section—is typically necessary. Delays in this process can lead to severe injury or death for the baby and/or mother.
When these or other lapses in care occur, and they result in harm, they may form the basis for a medical malpractice claim. By having a Florida medical negligence attorney and their medical experts evaluate your unique circumstances, you can get personalized advice about whether you have grounds for a medical malpractice case.
What Does It Take To Prove A Medical Malpractice Case In Florida?
To win a medical malpractice case in Florida, your legal team must establish four key elements:
- The provider owed you a duty of care.
- They breached that duty through negligent action or inaction.
- Their breach directly caused injury.
- You suffered measurable damages as a result.
Multiple parties may be liable in a placental abruption case. These could include the obstetrician, nurses, anesthesiologists, hospital staff, or even the facility itself, depending on who contributed to the negligent care.
Employment arrangements, hospital affiliations, and insurance coverage can complicate liability, which is why a thorough investigation is crucial. Your attorney will work to identify every potentially responsible party to help maximize your compensation.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice in Florida?
Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have two years from the date you discovered—or reasonably should have discovered—that medical malpractice occurred. However, there are important exceptions that could extend our pause the deadline, especially in cases involving children or if the malpractice was concealed. Because these deadlines can be complex and strict, acting quickly is critical. Waiting too long could prevent you from recovering any compensation.
Call To Discuss Hiring A Florida Placental Abruption Malpractice Lawyer
If you believe medical negligence caused or worsened a placental abruption, our Florida birth injury lawyers are here to help. At Anidjar & Levine, we work tirelessly to uncover negligent care, identify all liable parties, and document the full extent of harm suffered by you and your child. We pursue maximum compensation—whether through settlement or trial—so you can focus on healing.
Medical malpractice cases are complex, but you don’t have to face the legal system alone. We bring a proven track record, a network of trusted medical experts, and a commitment to justice for Florida families. Let us fight for the answers and accountability you deserve. Call today for your free, no-obligation consultation.
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