If you are coping with the tragic loss of a mother during pregnancy or childbirth in Florida, you may be facing questions about how and why this happened. Maternal deaths are often preventable when proper medical care is provided, making these losses all the more devastating.
At The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we represent families throughout Florida who have lost loved ones due to medical negligence during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period. Our Florida maternal death lawyers are committed to helping you seek justice and compensation for what your family has experienced.
Our Florida medical malpractice lawyers offer free consultations to discuss your case and potential legal options. You pay nothing unless we win compensation for your family. Take back control of your life by calling us for your free consultation.
Understanding Maternal Death and Its Causes
Maternal death refers to the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within a short time after delivery due to causes related to or aggravated by the pregnancy. Despite advancements in medical care, the United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations.
Many maternal deaths are preventable with proper medical care and attention. Common causes of maternal death that our Florida personal injury lawyers have seen include:
- Postpartum hemorrhage (excessive bleeding after childbirth)
- Preeclampsia and eclampsia (pregnancy-induced high blood pressure)
- Infection and sepsis
- Blood clots and embolisms
- Cardiovascular conditions aggravated by pregnancy
- Complications from cesarean sections
- Anesthesia complications
When these conditions are properly monitored and treated according to medical standards, many mothers’ lives can be saved. However, failures in care sometimes occur, such as:
- Delayed diagnosis of complications
- Inadequate monitoring of vital signs
- Failure to recognize warning signs
- Improper medication administration
- Inadequate response to emergencies
- Poor communication among healthcare providers
- Insufficient postpartum follow-up
When a maternal death occurs due to substandard medical care, it may constitute medical negligence or malpractice.
Recognizing Medical Negligence in Maternal Deaths
Not all maternal deaths result from medical negligence. Pregnancy and childbirth inherently carry risks. Tragic outcomes occur despite the best medical care. However, certain patterns may indicate that negligence played a role in a mother’s death.
Signs that medical negligence may have contributed to a maternal death include:
- Failure to recognize and respond to warning signs such as excessive bleeding, severe headaches, or elevated blood pressure
- Delays in providing emergency interventions like blood transfusions or cesarean sections
- Medication errors, including improper dosing or administration
- Inadequate monitoring during labor, delivery, or the postpartum period
- Failure to take a complete medical history or consider risk factors
- Poor communication among healthcare providers about a patient’s condition
- Premature discharge from the hospital without proper follow-up care
How Negligence is Proven
Establishing negligence in maternal death cases requires demonstrating that healthcare providers failed to meet the standard of care, which a reasonably competent medical professional would have done under similar circumstances. This typically requires expert testimony from other medical professionals in the field.
It’s also necessary to show that this failure directly caused or substantially contributed to the mother’s death. This causal connection is often the most challenging aspect of these cases. If you suspect negligence played a role in the loss of your loved one, it’s important to consult with a Florida maternal death attorney.
Legal Rights of Families After a Maternal Death
When a mother dies due to medical negligence during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period, surviving family members have legal rights to seek justice and compensation. In Florida, wrongful death claims arising from medical negligence are governed by both the Wrongful Death Act and medical malpractice laws.
Under these laws, certain family members can pursue claims for their losses. The personal representative of the deceased mother’s estate typically files the wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the estate and surviving family members. Those who may be entitled to compensation include:
- The surviving spouse
- Minor children (under 25 years old)
- Adult children (if there is no surviving spouse)
- Parents (if there are no surviving spouses or children)
- Other blood relatives or adoptive siblings who were partially or wholly dependent on the deceased
The types of compensation available may include:
- Medical expenses related to the pregnancy, delivery, and final care
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of the mother’s income and financial support
- Loss of services that the mother would have provided to the family
- Mental pain and suffering of the surviving family members
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and protection
How Our Florida Maternal Death Lawyers Help Grieving Families
At The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we provide comprehensive legal support for families who have lost a mother due to medical negligence. Our approach focuses on handling the legal complexities while allowing you space to grieve and heal.
When you work with our firm, we conduct a thorough investigation to establish liability for your loss. This process includes:
- Obtaining and analyzing all relevant medical records
- Consulting with qualified medical experts in obstetrics, gynecology, and maternal-fetal medicine
- Identifying deviations from the standard of care
- Determining how these failures contributed to the mother’s death
- Documenting the full impact of the loss on surviving family members
We handle all aspects of your case, including filing necessary paperwork, managing communications with defendants and insurance companies, negotiating settlements, and preparing for trial if needed. Throughout this process, we keep you informed and involved, ensuring your voice is heard.
Our attorneys understand that no amount of compensation can replace your loved one. However, pursuing a legal claim can provide financial stability for the family, particularly for young children who have lost their mother’s support and care. It can also bring a sense of closure and potentially prevent similar tragedies for other families.
Supporting Children After Maternal Loss
When children lose their mother due to medical negligence, they face unique challenges that require special consideration both legally and emotionally. Our firm recognizes these needs and works to ensure that compensation adequately addresses children’s long-term welfare.
In wrongful death cases involving mothers, children may be entitled to significant compensation for their losses, including:
- Financial support until adulthood (and through college in some cases)
- The value of lost parental guidance and nurturing
- Psychological counseling and support services
- Educational expenses that the mother would have provided
We work with financial planners to structure settlements that protect children’s interests, such as establishing trusts that provide for their needs. At the same time, ensuring funds are properly managed until they reach adulthood.
We also recognize that the surviving parent or guardian faces increased responsibilities and challenges after such a loss. Part of our role is ensuring that compensation accounts for these additional burdens, such as the need for childcare assistance or household help that the mother would have provided.
Contact The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Today
If you’ve lost a mother, wife, daughter, or sister due to possible medical negligence during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period, you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Our experienced Florida maternal death lawyers understand the complexities of these cases and are ready to fight for the justice your family deserves.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine offers compassionate, client-focused representation with a proven track record of success in medical negligence cases. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. Our team will listen carefully to your story, answer your questions, and provide clear guidance about your legal options. Let us help you seek justice and secure the financial support your family needs while you focus on healing from your loss.
We Can Help.
