During childbirth, physicians have a duty to care for the mother and the child. Unfortunately, doctors and nurses sometimes fail to focus on a mother’s health during delivery, leading to serious injuries and even death. If you believe that a medical professional’s negligence caused your loved one’s death, it is important to reach out to a Baltimore medical malpractice attorney who can investigate your case.
According to the National Institute of Health, maternal mortality is increasing instead of decreasing in the United States. In fact, the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is higher than in 40 other countries. In 1982, the maternal death ratio in the U.S. was 7.5 per 100,000 live births, and by 2005 that number had risen to 15.1 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Some conditions that can lead to maternal death include preeclampsia, antepartum hemorrhage, postpartum hemorrhage, post-delivery infections, and cardiac arrest. If these conditions are not treated properly and in a timely manner, the mother can die.
It is important to note that an adverse outcome does not automatically mean medical malpractice took place. Some medical situations are inherently risky, and even the utmost care cannot prevent injury or harm. Instead, medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional fails to adhere to the standard of care that a reasonably prudent medical professional in that specialty would have used in the same or similar circumstances. It is not enough that the medical professional deviated from the standard of care. A malpractice claim also requires showing that this deviation was a direct cause of the patient’s harm.
When you have lost a loved one due to medical malpractice, you can file a wrongful death claim in Maryland. In the context of maternal death, a wrongful death claim would be appropriate if the death occurred during childbirth due to the negligence of a medical professional. Under the Maryland Wrongful Death Statute, only certain surviving family members or beneficiaries can file a wrongful death lawsuit, such as the surviving spouse, child, or parent of the deceased. These claims are complex and time-sensitive, so it is important to reach out to an attorney if you suspect you may have a case.
While no amount of money can undo the pain of losing a loved one, compensation can help alleviate the financial burden of medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages of the mother, funeral expenses, and loss of support and companionship. The exact amount of compensation a plaintiff will be entitled to receive will depend on the specific facts of the case.
If you have a claim involving the death of a mother during childbirth, it is important to act quickly. At the Arfaa Law Group, our skilled Baltimore wrongful death attorneys will help you understand your rights after a thorough discussion of your case during a free initial consultation. We are committed to holding negligent medical professionals accountable for the harm that they cause. For more information, do not hesitate to call 410-889-1850 or contact us online.
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