Steps You Need to Take to Compensate for Maternal Injuries
Every woman is at risk of pregnancy and its complications. Since ancient times, there are mothers who unfortunately face death or suffer severe injuries during childbirth. At present, medical advancement made screening and treatment more accessible.
In the United States, however, the trend is quite alarming. Among all first world countries, the USA is the only country with an increasing maternal death rate. From 12 deaths in every 100,000 childbirths in 1990, it has grown more than double to 26.4 in 2015. Meanwhile, in other countries, the death rate has decreased to less than 10 per 100,000 childbirths. This only means that there is a great number of maternal injury cases and birth injuries all over the country.
Genetic and other predisposing factors make American mothers more prone to several conditions during pregnancy. If not carefully monitored, these can result in severe and life-threatening complications:
Gestational Diabetes
Hyperemesis Gravidarum or severe vomiting
Pelvic Girdle Pain
High Blood Pressure in Preeclampsia, Eclampsia, Gestational Hypertension, HELLP Syndrome and Acute fatty liver of pregnancy
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Anemia
Infections such as influenza and herpes simplex virus, hepatitis E, and malaria
Peripartum cardiomyopathy or decrease in heart function
Several complications may arise during labor and delivery of the baby. Some are life-threatening to the mother such as:
Amniotic Fluid Embolism (A.F.E.) – This is when the amniotic fluid enters the bloodstream of the mother, causing heart and lung collapse. Although rare, this serious reaction can also cause severe bleeding or coagulopathy.
Bleeding or Hemorrhage – The leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide is massive blood loss. This can lead to hypovolemic shock and is usually caused by uterine rupture or placental abruption
Obstructed Labor – Prolonged labor can be caused by weak or uncoordinated uterine contraction or abnormal fetal presentation. This may lead to fetal distress, maternal fatigue, or even obstetric fistula.
Management of these Maternal Illnesses: Prevention and Treatment
Like other medical conditions, these maternal illnesses are real and thus need expert attention. They must be prevented or treated accordingly.
As a general rule, it is recommended to consult your obstetrician and gynecologist to check up on the pregnancy. There are a lot of dietary and medical restrictions as to what pregnant women can intake for the benefit of both the mother and the baby. Always approach your health professional if you have any concerns or issues. This remains true even if you incurred any health condition mentioned above.
How to Get Fair Compensation For Maternal Injuries
It is painful for a family to experience hardships at the beginning of their bond. In your first moments as a family, you entrust your health to medical professionals who you barely know. Yes, no one in the delivery room wants someone else to die or be in serious injury. But when it happens, you should know that death would have been prevented if not for the negligence or malpractice of any medical professionals involved. No matter the reason, there IS someone who should be held accountable for the loss or injury of your loved one.
It is important to note that these medical professionals can be backed up by the hospital or clinic institutions that they work for. Moreover, they have control over the documents that they hand out for legal purposes. This makes it harder for you to win your case and get your compensation.
Do You Need Legal Help Because of a Maternal Injury During Childbirth? Contact Us Today.
What you need to do before filing a maternal injury or wrongful death lawsuit is to hire trusted legal services. Hiring a lawyer who specializes in maternal injury or wrongful death will give you sound legal advice on what steps you should take to best win your case. These maternal injury lawyers will question any vagueness, inconsistencies, or any possible anomalies in the medical records prepared by the hospital. Most importantly, these lawyers will present the case on your behalf.
We at The Clark Law Office are a team of expert personal injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys. We have successfully handled numerous cases where medical negligence or malpractice is an issue during childbirth. We can explain to you the process and help you win your case if it comes to that. We will sit down and listen to your story. We will give you our honest legal opinion and inform you of your options. Contact us today at (517) 347-6900 to schedule for a free consultation on your maternal injury case. The consultation is 100% confidential and we charge no fees unless you win your case.
