Maternal Death During Childbirth May Be Actionable as Medical Malpractice

 Posted on August 29, 2019 in Medical Malpractice

The main concern with every birth is getting the baby out safely, but the mother’s health also must be observed carefully. According to a recent report by USA Today, the preventable deaths of mothers during childbirth are on the rise in the country.

The report notes that one of the main causes of mothers’ deaths is hemorrhaging, or rapid blood loss that would go untreated by the hospital staff. Of these cases, 90 percent were avoidable, according to report, which means they could provide the basis for medical malpractice lawsuits.

Frightening Numbers

The report concluded that approximately 700 mothers die in childbirth a year across the country (15 per 10,000 births in Illinois from 2012-16), and at least half of them could have been saved if the mothers had been given better attention. These numbers are rising from year to year while other countries continue to reduce the death rate of mothers.

Other complications that can lead to mother deaths during labor include:

• Stroke due to high blood pressure;
• Infections; and
• Blood clots.

These issues are things that can be noticed at an early stage, and most of the time, the issues can be treated and the women can be saved. Death is not the only outcome to these events, as even survivors may not ever be the same again. Many of them suffer from paralysis and/or loss of fertility.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive for Medical Malpractice?

Illinois law defines “medical malpractice” as a doctor or hospital not providing a patient with the proper medical treatment which results in injury or death. There is a standard of care to which medical professionals must adhere, and if they do not meet that standard, a patient can sue for monetary damages.

A victim or the family of a deceasd victim should file a lawsuit as soon as the medical malpractice becomes evident. There is a two-year statute of limitation in which a person can file a lawsuit. If the claim is filed after two years from time that the patient discovered the injury, nothing can be done to receive compensation.

A lawyer should be hired quickly as well in order to help determine how much damage a victim can recover for:

• Medical bills;
• Pain and suffering;
• Lost wages if the victim could not work; and
• Any other expenses that arose from the malpractice.

Illinois law does not place a limit as to how much monetary compensation can be collected from a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Contact an Orland Park, IL Medical Malpractice Attorney

If your family is suffering after the loss of a mother who died as a result of childbirth malpractice, contact Schwartz Injury Law to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Cook County medical malpractice lawyer, call 708-888-2160 today.

Sources:

http://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/073500050K13-212.htm

https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/investigations/deadly-deliveries/2018/07/26/maternal-mortality-rates-preeclampsia-postpartum-hemorrhage-safety/546889002/