Maternal Deaths and Medical Negligence in California

Childbirth should be a joyous experience for a family, not a tragedy. Unfortunately, there are times when maternal death occurs during childbirth, and this can happen as a result of the negligent actions of a medical provider. Maternal mortality includes death of a mother  before, during, or shortly after childbirth for various reasons.

At The Law Offices of Dr. Bruce G. Fagel & Associates, we are here to help if you need a California maternal death lawyer by your side. Our team has extensive experience handling complex medical malpractice cases throughout California, and we want to help you and your family recover the closure and compensation you are entitled to.

Why Choose Dr. Fagel for Your Claim?

  • Dr. Fagel practiced emergency medicine for a decade before becoming an attorney, and he maintains his medical license so he can best serve his clients in California.
  • We have recovered significant multimillion-dollar settlements on behalf of medical malpractice victims and their families.
  • We do not collect any legal fees until after our Los Angeles medical malpractice clients recover compensation for their losses. Families do not have to worry about paying a dime until we settle their claim.

Common Causes of Maternal Death in California?

Unfortunately, there are various ways that medical mistakes can lead to maternal death and birth injuries. In the United States, maternal deaths or higher than they should be, especially for a developed country. According to information available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Women in the United States are more likely to die from childbirth or pregnancy-related causes than other women in the developed world.” Black women are three to four times more likely than white women to sustain a pregnancy-related death.

A wrongful death that occurs just before, during, or after the delivery of a child could have a variety of causes. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Failing to perform a C-section when one is indicated
  • Surgical mistakes during a C-section
  • Postpartum hemorrhage
  • Pre-eclampsia
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Infections
  • Amniotic fluid embolism
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Failing to monitor a mother’s vital signs

Maternal Mortality in America

Maternal deaths are high  in America compared to other indistrialized countries. Fortunately, the death rates have leveled in recent years, but maternal deaths continue to be a prevalent issue in our country. Here is what you need to know about maternal mortality in the United States:

  • The maternal mortality rate in 2018 was recorded at 17.4 per 100,000
  • Maternal deaths rates are much higher for black women than white or Hispanic
  • Death rates vary greatly in each state
  • More than half of maternal deaths occur the day after birth

What Compensation is Available for Families?

There may be various types of compensation available to families who have lost a loved one due to medical negligence during the labor and delivery process. Even though no amount of compensation will erase the tragedy, the money can help cover the unexpected expenses that arise as a result of the death. Some of the types of compensation available can include:

  • Coverage of medical bills related to the incident
  • Lost income the deceased would have earned had they lived
  • Loss of companionship, comfort, love, and society of the deceased
  • Emotional pain and suffering of surviving family members 
  • Loss of household services the deceased would have provided

We strongly encourage you to work with a skilled medical malpractice lawyer in California who can examine the facts of your case and adequately calculate your total expected losses.

Call a California Maternal Death Lawyer Today

If you have lost a loved one during childbirth, you may need to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. A skilled California maternal death lawyer can examine the facts of the case and determine whether or not a medical malpractice or wrongful death claim should be filed. At The Law Offices of Dr. Bruce G. Fagel & Associates, we have extensive experience handling these claims, and we know what it takes to help families recover compensation for their losses. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling (800) 541-9376.