NYC Death During Childbirth Attorney

childbirth

Has someone you love died while giving birth in New York City? Do you believe that their death could have been avoided? You might be entitled to compensation for your devastating loss. The compassionate and experienced NYC personal injury lawyers at Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. can help you navigate this very difficult time. Give our law firm a call today to arrange a free consultation to discuss your case and learn about your potential legal options. We’re always here when you need us – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

How Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. Can Help If a Loved One Has Died During Childbirth in NYC

The birth of a child is supposed to be filled with joy. It’s supposed to be the best thing you ever experience. However, there are times when things go wrong and the mother does not survive. Sometimes this happens even when doctors do everything right and in their power to prevent it. Other times, however, mothers die during childbirth because their doctor or healthcare provider makes a mistake. That simple mistake can cast a dark cloud over a time of beauty.

If your wife, partner, or daughter has died while giving birth in New York City as a result of medical malpractice, you might have a legitimate claim for damages. While money will not turn back the clock or bring back your child’s (or grandchild’s) mother, it can provide you with much-needed financial security for years to come. 

Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. will help you pursue the compensation your family deserves. Our NYC personal injury lawyers have more than 200 years of combined legal experience. We’ve helped victims and families recover more than $2 Billion in life-changing financial settlements and awards. We know that your life will never be the same and that you will likely struggle with this loss for years to come. Let us do everything in our power to hold the negligent medical professionals fully accountable for the harm and devastation they’ve caused. Let us hold them accountable for depriving a child of the opportunity to know their mother. We will enlist whatever time, manpower, and resources are necessary to get the job done.

How Common is Death During Childbirth? 

The number of women who die during childbirth in the United States has risen steadily over the past few decades. In fact, the “maternal mortality rate” – which refers to deaths caused by pregnancy or childbirth – more than doubled between 1991 and 2014. In 1991, the maternal mortality rate was 10.3 per 100,00 live births. By 2014, the rate was 23.8 per 100,000 live births.

Another study found that in 1990, there were about 17 maternal deaths for every 100,000 pregnant women. By 2015, the United States saw 26 deaths for every 100,000 pregnancies. So, today, roughly 700 women die every year because of pregnancy or childbirth. Research suggests that two-thirds of these – or 462 deaths – are preventable. 

Black Women More Likely to Die During Childbirth

The statistics are pretty clear – black women are much more likely than white women to die during or because of complications arising from childbirth. In fact, the World Health Organization says that black women living in the United States are just as likely to die as pregnant women in Mexico or Uzbekistan. 

This is true, despite the woman’s socioeconomic standing. Back in 2018, Serena Williams suffered a pulmonary embolism as a complication of childbirth. At first, doctors discounted her complaints and concerns that something was wrong. However, after pushing doctors to do something, diagnostic tests confirmed that she had several blood clots and a pulmonary embolism. In interviews, Williams has said that she was on her “death bed” and that she could have died if she hadn’t been so adamant about her distress. Sadly, this is a reality many black women face after childbirth. Even worse, many die because their concerns are not addressed, but rather written off as illegitimate complaints.

Leading Causes of Death During Childbirth in NYC

At Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C., we represent clients who have lost a loved one during childbirth in NYC due to:

  • Amniotic fluid embolism
  • Postpartum hemorrhage
  • Eclampsia
  • Infection
  • Botched terminations
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Placenta previa
  • Uterine rupture
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Medically unnecessary C-Sections
  • Anemia, and more.

If someone you love has died because of a complication related to childbirth or pregnancy in New York City, contact Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. for help. Our medical malpractice lawyers will listen to your story, explain your legal options, and do our best to answer your questions. If you have a legitimate case and decide to pursue compensation, we’ll stand by your side until your case is resolved.

Medical Negligence and Maternal Death in NYC

So, if two out of every three maternal deaths are avoidable, why do they happen? Unfortunately, mothers are dying during and after childbirth because their caretakers make mistakes. Medical professionals – including OBGYNs, anesthesiologists, nurses, and anyone else responsible for a mother’s care – have a responsibility to use their expertise, knowledge, and skills to keep the mother and child safe. However, this doesn’t always happen. Doctors and nurses are overworked and exhausted. There are breakdowns in communication. This can lead to forgetfulness, mistakes, and negligent care. 

Negligence that often contributes to or causes maternal death includes:

  • Failing to monitor a mother before, during, and after pregnancy
  • Failing to identify signs of maternal distress
  • Failure to diagnose or identify complications, such as maternal blood loss or infection
  • Failing to take appropriate precautions with a high-risk pregnancy
  • Failing to monitor fetal distress
  • Using childbirth delivery tools improperly
  • Failing to examine the mother after delivery
  • Failing to address a mother’s complaints or concerns after childbirth
  • Errors related to administering an epidural or other anesthetics, and
  • Errors related to the administration of Cytotec or Pitocin.

Sadly, when a mother dies during childbirth because of practitioner negligence, the child can also be endangered. Birth injuries and the death of a child are not uncommon in these situations. 

Any time a doctor or healthcare provider deviates from the accepted standard of care, they can be held legally and financially accountable for the harm that results. Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. can help you file medical negligence and wrongful death lawsuits. Reach out to our New York City law office to set up a free initial case assessment to learn more.

Damages Available to Family Members Who Have Lost a Loved One During Childbirth in NYC

When a mother dies during or due to a complication related to childbirth, her spouse, parents, and/or child might be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim. The lawsuit itself is filed by the mother’s estate on behalf of these surviving beneficiaries. When a wrongful death lawsuit is successful, the family might be awarded monetary damages for:

  • Medical expenses incurred before the mother’s death
  • The cost of the mother’s funeral and burial
  • The mother’s lost expected wages and income
  • The mother’s lost work benefits
  • The family’s loss of inheritance.

Generally speaking, damages for pain and suffering are not available in New York City wrongful death cases. However, an award for these non-economic damages might be available for suffering the mother endured before she died.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Childbirth-Related Death?

We know that it will be painful to think about and revisit the devastating loss you’ve experienced. However, you will only have a limited window of time in which you will be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against a negligent doctor, hospital, or caretaker. In New York, wrongful death lawsuits must be initiated within two years of the victim’s death. You will lose the right to recover compensation if you do not file your claim before the statute of limitations expires.

You don’t have to do this on your own. Let our caring and compassionate NYC medical negligence attorneys handle your legal claim from start to finish. All you have to do is give us a call to arrange a time to sit down with our team to discuss your case. We’ll take it from there.

Let Our NYC Maternal Death Lawyers Help You Today

You were prepared to bring a new life into the world. You probably weren’t prepared to lose someone you love. If you’ve lost a wife, mother, or child due to a complication of childbirth in New York City, do not hesitate to contact Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. for support and legal assistance.

With more than two centuries of collective legal experience and billions recovered for our clients, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands. Take the time you need to grieve and move forward. Let us handle your maternal death lawsuit. We promise to do everything we can to get you and your family the money you deserve.

Our law firms offers a free initial case assessment, so please give us a call to schedule yours today. We represent clients from in and around the city, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and Westchester County.