Wrongful Death

Infant Death | Maternal Pregnancy Death

Although modern medicine has greatly reduced the number of maternal and fetal deaths resulting from the labor and delivery process, these tragedies continue to occur. When such deaths occur, the victims pay the ultimate price, and those surviving loved ones carry scars for the rest of their lives. Although there are times and circumstances that are unavoidable, there are other times when reasonable care would have prevented the unthinkable from happening.

Infant Death Due to Medical Malpractice

Background on infant death

It is tragic when a family loses their baby, especially when it was preventable. Unfortunately, thousands of babies die every year in the United States, many of which are preventable.

What are the major causes of infant deaths

Infant deaths can be caused by a variety of factors. However, the most common causes of infant deaths include:

Preeclampsia during pregnancy: when the mother has high blood pressure. Untreated, this may cause undernutrition to the fetus, impeding its growth and development.
Problems with the placenta, umbilical cord, or amniotic sac. These complications may interfere with the fetus’s ability to get nutrition and so impede the fetus’s development, or may cut off blood supply to the fetus entirely, resulting in brain damage and organ failure.
Infections like sepsis, pneumonia, tetanus, etc. may affect the fetus, causing devastating injuries.
Asphyxia: when the baby does not get enough oxygen to its brain
Birth defects

How can an infant’s death be caused by medical malpractice?

There are many ways that an infant’s death could be caused by the negligence of a health care provider. For example:

Failure of doctors to recognize a mother’s pregnancy risk factors
Failure to monitor and treat fetal distress
Medical errors during delivery that cause trauma
Failure to perform a C-section when needed
Infections from the hospital’s care unit

There are many different ways an infant’s death can occur due to medical malpractice, so it is best to have our experienced medical malpractice lawyers review your potential case.

Infant’s Wrongful Death Case Review

We are available to review your potential case without cost or obligation. We will talk with you regarding what happened and then if it seems like there may have been medical malpractice, we will help get all the medical records and review those as well. Feel free to reach out to us by phone or e-mail.

Maternal Pregnancy Related Death Due to Medical Malpractice

Background on maternal pregnancy related deaths

A woman dying during pregnancy, at delivery, or soon after, is a tragedy for the family and society as a whole. Unfortunately, hundreds of women die every year in the United States due to pregnancy or delivery complications. There are certain risk factors for and causes of pregnancy-related deaths that medical providers should be aware of to avoid these deaths.

What are the major causes of maternal pregnancy related deaths?

Maternal pregnancy related deaths can be caused by a variety of factors. However, the most common causes of maternal deaths include:

Hemorrhage: this is the leading most preventable cause of maternal death. It encompasses antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum bleeding.
Hypertensive disease: this includes many different blood pressure conditions, such as preeclampsia/eclampsia.
Embolism: this occurs when amniotic fluid or fetal material enters the mother’s bloodstream and resulting in a serious blood-clotting disorder.
Infection: women who develop an infection during or after pregnancy may develop sepsis, which can be a life-threatening condition.

How can a maternal death be caused by medical malpractice?

There are many ways that a maternal death could be caused by the negligence of a health care provider. For example:

Failure of doctors to recognize a mother who is at high risk for bleeding.
Failure of doctors to recognize postpartum risk factors.
Failure of doctors to monitor a pregnant woman’s blood pressure.
Failure to perform early and proper medical or surgical interventions.
Failure to educate mothers regarding the risk factors of delayed postpartum hemorrhage.

There are many different ways a maternal death can occur due to medical malpractice, so it is best to have our experienced medical malpractice lawyers review your potential case.

What is the statute of limitations for a pregnancy related death from medical malpractice?

Washington law that most medical malpractice lawsuits be filed within three years of the date of alleged negligence. Exceptions do apply, so that time limit may be longer or shorter, depending on the specific circumstance of each case. It is best to not wait until most of this time has passed; if you suspect medical malpractice, get in touch with us.

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Wrongful Death

Infant Death | Maternal Pregnancy Death

Infant Death Due to Medical Malpractice

Infant’s Wrongful Death Case Review

Maternal Pregnancy Related Death Due to Medical Malpractice

Family’s Maternal Wrongful Death Case Review

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