The loss of a mother is a tragic event. If maternal death was caused by medical negligence, you have the right to seek justice for your loved one.
Even with modern medical technology and highly trained healthcare professionals, preventable mistakes still occur, and some have fatal outcomes. A Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice lawyer can help you pursue damages for the loss of your loved one.
Signs That Maternal Death Was Caused by Medical Negligence
Maternal death can occur for many reasons, but when it is caused by a medical mistake, certain warning signs may be evident. These indicators include:
- Failure to monitor vital signs: Medical staff should consistently monitor blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels during labor and postpartum care. Ignoring abnormal readings can lead to life-threatening complications.
- Delayed response to complications: Conditions like postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia, or sepsis require immediate medical intervention. A delay in recognizing or treating these emergencies can be fatal.
- Improper administration of medication: Incorrect dosages, harmful drug interactions, or neglecting necessary medications can directly contribute to maternal death.
- Surgical errors: Mistakes during cesarean sections or other surgical procedures, such as accidental organ damage or leaving surgical tools inside the patient, may result in fatal outcomes.
- Failure to follow established protocols: Hospitals and medical professionals are expected to adhere to standard procedures. Deviating from these protocols can be a sign of negligence.
What to Do If Maternal Death Is Caused by Medical Negligence
Losing a loved one due to potential medical negligence is overwhelming, but these steps can help you get justice:
- Preserve medical documentation: Keep copies of prenatal records, delivery notes, hospital charts, and any correspondence with medical staff.
- Request an autopsy or second opinion: A professional review can determine the exact cause of death and whether medical errors were involved.
- Contact a medical malpractice lawyer: An experienced attorney can review medical records, identify potential errors, and help you take legal action.
Common Causes of Medical Errors in Maternal Care
Medical errors that lead to maternal death often fall into predictable categories, such as:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis: Conditions like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes may be overlooked or diagnosed too late to prevent complications.
- Inadequate prenatal care: Skipping essential tests or failing to address known risk factors increases the likelihood of preventable complications during labor.
- Poor communication among healthcare providers: Miscommunication between doctors, nurses, and specialists can lead to mistakes in treatment plans or emergency response.
- Inexperience or lack of supervision: Junior medical staff or insufficient oversight during critical moments in labor can result in errors with fatal consequences.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Maternal Death?
When maternal death is linked to medical negligence, several parties may be held legally accountable. Those parties include:
- Obstetricians and gynecologists: Doctors directly responsible for prenatal care, labor, and delivery may be liable if their actions or inactions lead to fatal outcomes.
- Nurses and midwives: Medical staff involved in monitoring, administering medications, or assisting in delivery may share liability for preventable mistakes.
- Hospitals and medical facilities: Institutions may be held responsible for failing to maintain adequate staffing, training, or equipment, or for not enforcing safety protocols.
- Other healthcare providers: Anesthesiologists, lab technicians, or specialists who contributed to errors may also be held liable.
How a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help
After medical negligence leads to maternal death, an experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help with:
- Case evaluation: A lawyer can assess the facts, review medical records, and determine whether there is a strong basis for a claim.
- Investigation of the incident: An attorney can consult with medical experts to identify mistakes and establish whether standard care was breached.
- Negotiations: An attorney can negotiate with insurers and pursue damages for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, and other damages you and your family have suffered.
- Representation in court: If necessary, an attorney can advocate on your family’s behalf in court.
Types of Damages in Maternal Death Cases
Families may be entitled to various types of compensation depending on the circumstances of the maternal death, including:
- Economic damages: These include medical bills, funeral expenses, and loss of income or financial support the mother would have provided.
- Non-economic damages: You can pursue compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional trauma suffered by you and other surviving family members.
- Punitive damages: In cases of gross negligence or egregious misconduct, courts may award additional damages to punish the responsible party and deter future negligence.
Speak to a Medical Malpractice Attorney
Maternal death caused by medical negligence can have lasting emotional and financial effects. With the stakes this high, you need experienced legal representation. A medical malpractice attorney from Anidjar & Levine can help you pursue compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Book a free case review to find out how your family can get justice. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
We Can Help.
