When you find out you’re expecting a brand-new baby, there is so much that goes through your mind. What do you need to do to prepare? What should you be buying? What do you need to learn before the baby arrives? Then there’s the doctor’s appointments and worry and concern over what kind of parent you’re going to be. Your love for your baby that you’ve never even met is immense. You will do anything to keep your baby safe and healthy. The thought of being involved in a personal injury case when you’re pregnant is unthinkable, but unfortunately, it’s not totally unavoidable.
Pregnant women are involved in car crashes, slips and fall accidents, and other personal injuries every day. Someone else’s negligence can have unthinkable consequences. While many of these injuries are “small,” the fear and nervousness over your baby’s wellbeing are understandable and should be taken very seriously. In addition, concern for your own health as a pregnant woman (or spouse/partner of a pregnant woman) should also be at the forefront of your mind.
Does the case itself change if you find yourself as a part of a personal injury case when pregnant? Who do you turn to for answers? Let’s look at some things you should know.
Common Accident Dangers That Can Occur When Pregnant
Anyone can experience injuries, even severe injuries from an accident. A pregnant woman can have these same injuries occur as well as several added dangers that can affect her or her baby. Some of these may include:
- High-Risk Pregnancy
When a car accident or any kind of accident involves a pregnant mother, there should be immediate observation and continued monitoring of the baby and mother. If an injury or other concern is present, the pregnancy will be considered high-risk and require extra monitoring and testing.
- Premature Birth
Premature birth is when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy instead of 40 weeks which is considered full term. For example, when a pregnant mother is in an accident, the jarring or impact of the accident can cause a baby to be born prematurely. Even the extra stress that a mother experiences after an injury can cause her to go into early labor, causing the baby to be born early.
Obviously, many possible complications can occur with the mother and baby when birth occurs earlier than it should. In addition, these complications cost extra money because of the high level of care and longer stay required in the hospital and after discharge.
- Placental Abruption
Trauma or injury to the abdomen during an accident is very serious, especially when pregnant. A placental abruption can occur by separating partly or fully from the uterus before giving birth. This can be dangerous to the baby and even fatal.
Some of the symptoms of placental abruption can include:
- Abdominal pain
- Vaginal bleeding
- Back pain
- Contractions
- Miscarriage
A miscarriage is a horrible thing for any parent to experience. It is a possible injury that can occur from a serious car accident, hit to the abdomen, fall, and more. While a miscarriage is the death of a baby during the early portion of the pregnancy, it can still be overwhelming and devastating to go through such a loss.
Expenses for a Personal Injury Case When Pregnant
As you look over these additional injuries that a pregnant woman (and her baby) can experience in a crash, you quickly realize how expenses can soon add up compared to just the average injured driver or passenger. After all, two people are involved here – the mother and the unborn baby. The possibility of injuries is much higher in car accidents involving someone that is pregnant.
The higher expenses will most likely mean your personal injury compensation will be higher than others that may have incurred injury. This difference is one of the reasons that working with an experienced personal injury attorney can be incredibly beneficial to your case. Your lawsuit can include not only the mother but also the unborn baby.
Keep in mind, while we have been primarily discussing injuries resulting from car accidents and falls, these same factors will apply to injuries resulting from bike accidents, pedestrian accidents, and even wrongful death lawsuits depending on the laws in your state.
How Pregnancy Can Change Your Personal Injury Case Compensation
An injury incurred by a pregnant woman during an accident is usually more costly and involved than an otherwise unpregnant person. Because of this, you can most likely expect a higher compensation amount. Although no amount of compensation makes up for the worry, extra monitoring, and possibly even death of an unborn baby, the attorneys at Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C. want to help. They will make sure you’re not left with all kinds of debt, from hospital bills and other medical expenses, future medical bills, lost work earnings, and the pain and suffering you have experienced.
Pregnancy in a personal injury suit puts you in a unique situation, and the compensation will reflect that as the seriousness of your injuries is examined and greatly considered. Keeping all the records that you can regarding hospital stays, medical appointments, added expenses, and more help build your case and ensure your compensation is appropriately awarded.
Protect Yourself and Your Baby
A pregnant woman involved in any kind of personal injury can experience all kinds of added trauma, anxiety, and stress. Therefore, additional compensation should be sought after and received for these significant dangers and injuries.
The trusted legal team at Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C. can help you navigate and fight for the appropriate compensation that is owed to you. Whether the personal injury that occurred was somewhat minor or something that resulted in serious complications or death, your case matters. Our attorneys will make sure that everyone knows it. Contact Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C. today for more information and to schedule a free consultation at (504) 522-2304.
