A uterine rupture occurs when part of the uterus wall tears or rips. This is an extremely dangerous condition for both the mother and the baby, requiring prompt medical attention. Medical providers also have a duty to identify women at high risk for uterine rupture and take all possible steps to avoid it.
At Hampton & King, our skilled Houston, Texas birth injury lawyers represent clients throughout Texas in a wide array of cases related to labor and delivery errors. With our experience and insight, we are prepared to handle complex cases for injury victims.
Let us put our proven skills and resources to work for you.
What is a Uterine Rupture?
A uterine rupture is a rare childbirth complication where the wall of the uterus tears, often along a scar from a previous cesarean section. This life-threatening tear can allow the baby and/or the placenta to move into the mother’s abdominal cavity.
If not recognized and treated immediately, uterine rupture can result in severe bleeding, oxygen deprivation, emergency hysterectomy, or even the death of the mother or child.
Uterine rupture is uncommon. However, certain risk factors increase the likelihood of its occurrence, such as trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC), use of labor-inducing drugs like Pitocin, or prior uterine surgeries. In many cases, timely medical intervention can prevent permanent harm.
Signs & Symptoms
Uterine rupture can lead to severe postpartum hemorrhage and obstetrical complications for the mother or even maternal death.
Symptoms may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Abnormal changes to the baby’s heart rate
- Abdominal pain, bleeding or a fast heart rate in the mother
- Slow or stalled labor
Causes of a Ruptured Uterus
A ruptured uterus can be a devastating medical condition. Most instances of uterine rupture occur when the scar from a previous C-section gives way. The skin is not as tightly knit at the site of a scar, and the stress of labor can cause it to tear.
In addition to vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), risk factors can include:
- Carrying twins
- Previous surgeries such as to remove fibroids
- Previous cases of uterine rupture
- Having had more than five children already
- Overuse of contraction-inducing drugs such as Pitocin
- Prolonged labor with cephalopelvic disproportion
- Trauma related to forceps use or the removal of the placenta
Do I Have a Valid Uterine Rupture Lawsuit?
Not every uterine rupture leads to a viable legal claim. However, if such an injury could have been prevented with proper medical diagnosis and intervention, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
To bring a successful uterine rupture case, you must prove the four elements of medical malpractice:
- Duty of care – A doctor-patient relationship existed.
- Breach of Duty – The provider failed to provide the proper medical standard of care, such as by failing to recognize risk factors, inadequate monitoring of labor, or delaying an emergency C-section.
- Causation – The provider’s negligence directly caused the uterine rupture or allowed it to worsen.
- Damages – The mother or baby suffered measurable injuries and losses.
If you experienced a uterine rupture and believe medical providers could have prevented it or responded more effectively, it’s important to speak with an experienced birth injury attorney. A trusted legal team can review your medical records, consult medical experts, and determine whether you have a valid claim.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Uterine Rupture Claim?
Medical negligence claims related to uterine rupture may qualify for significant financial compensation to account for the victim’s economic and non-economic losses.
A birth injury claim may allow recovery for:
- Past and future medical expenses (including NICU care, surgeries, therapy, and follow-up treatment)
- Lost wages or diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or loss of reproductive function
- Wrongful death damages (if the mother or child passed away)
- Costs of in-home care or special education services for disabled children
Texas law places a cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases, but there is no limit on economic damages to cover your financial expenses related to the injury.
How Long Do I Have to File a Uterine Rupture Lawsuit in Texas?
If you or your child suffered harm due to a uterine rupture, you won’t have unlimited time to take legal action. Generally, Texas medical malpractice claims must be initiated within two years of the date of the injury. If the injury was discovered later on, the clock starts ticking on the date of discovery.
If the victim is a baby, the deadline may extend until the child’s 14th birthday. However, if you miss the deadline, you could lose your right to recover compensation in court. An experienced birth injury lawyer can help you identify and comply with the applicable time limits in your case.
For a free initial attorney consultation about your particular situation and whether you may have a medical malpractice case, call the Houston office of Hampton & King at (713) 658-0231 or send us a message online.