Sadly, this situation affects far more women and families than it should, and that’s why our maternal death lawyers work hard on behalf of the victims left behind.

It can be devastating to celebrate a new life while also grieving one that has been lost due to preventable accidents in the labor and delivery room. This situation is known as maternal death and should prompt you to contact an experienced maternal death lawyer as soon as possible.

Although advancements in modern medicine have dramatically decreased the incidence of pregnancy and delivery related complications in women, it is still the responsibility of medical staff and physicians to monitor for complications and implement treatment on an as needed basis. There are several different kinds of medical conditions that can arise during a labor and delivery process that may compromise the life of the mother.

Preeclampsia

One of the most dangerous aspects of labor and delivery is the risk of preeclampsia. Part of a normal pregnancy development is an increased production in blood volume in the woman's body. However, this progression in blood volumes may also be accompanied by a dramatic increase in blood pressure.

A woman who had typical blood pressure readings prior to pregnancy and then experiences high blood pressure in conjunction with increased protein levels in the urine can be categorized as having preeclampsia. When undiagnosed or untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious or even deadly complications for the baby and the mother. Given the serious risks associated with preeclampsia, doctors should be aware of the risks and monitor women with this condition.

Post-Delivery Infections

A vaginal delivery exposes women to many different types of medical instruments, medical facilities and medical personnel who must be kept in a sterile condition. In addition to the typical trauma associated with delivery for women, many ordinary or minor complications like episiotomy incisions, vaginal tears or fissures can expose a woman to unwanted bacteria or an unsanitary technique.

Cesarean sections also present a risk of post-delivery infections that could compromise the woman's life, if not caught quickly. These additional complications and risks may be associated with an improper surgical technique. It is important for a physician monitoring the procedure to be aware of uterine infections and excessive bleeding when closing the incisions made through the abdominal wall and the uterus.

Do You Need a Maternal Death Attorney?

The death of a mother during or after the birth is not a typical occurrence and all cases involving the loss of the mother due to negligence should be carefully evaluated by a knowledgeable attorney. A medical malpractice lawyer can walk through the stages of your case with you to help you identify whether or not you have grounds for a wrongful death case.

For every 100,000 live births, according to the World Health Organization, approximately 28 women will suffer fatal injuries during child birth, pregnancy or the post-partum period. A mother's wrongful death can occur for many different types of reasons during the delivery process including:

Identifying an attorney who has extensive experience in birth injury and maternal death cases can assist you with navigating this complex process of recovering compensation. Although no amount of money will ever replace the life that has been lost, consulting with a lawyer as soon as possible helps you to identify the next steps you need to take to protect your financial future. Given the loss of a parent, taking action immediately is strongly warranted.