The Continued Increase In Maternal Birth Injury Deaths
The dramatic and escalating number of pregnancy-related maternal deaths in the U.S. during the past couple of decades can be summed up in one word: unacceptable.
Current research shows that pregnancy-related maternal birth injury deaths have continued to increase.1,2,3 It is a disturbing scenario, particularly given the many developments and advances in medicine and medical care aimed at saving lives. Even more disturbing is when dangerous pregnancy-related medical situations are preventable, yet result in provable maternal birth injury medical malpractice deaths.
The numbers tell a sobering story. According to the CDC, the number of reported pregnancy-related maternal deaths in the United States steadily increased from 7.2 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1987 to 17.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018.4 More recently, the CDC has also reported that four out of five maternal birth injury deaths is preventable.5 That’s 80 percent. And mental health conditions are listed as a major causative factor.
Causes of maternal pregnancy-related deaths include:
– Mental health issues (drugs, suicide)
– Cardiovascular problems
– Cardiomyopathy
– Preeclampsia and eclampsia
– Hemorrhage
– Infection or sepsis
– Embolisms
– Amniotic fluid embolisms/issues
– Complications of anesthesia
Any of these conditions may be caused by provable maternal birth injury medical malpractice.
Useful direction, accountability, justice, and fair compensation are necessities of those who have lost a loved one due to a provable maternal birth injury medical malpractice death. This includes the recommendation of resources and support when available and appropriate. While these actions cannot reverse the events surrounding a provable maternal birth injury death, they have the potential to provide spouses, partners, and family members with some relief from the additional trauma of stresses due to medical and funeral bills. Not to mention the potential to gain accountability for improper actions by doctors, nurses, medical staff, midwives, and/or other provably involved medical entities or affiliates.
Noted attorney Richard “Bo” Sharp, Esq. and Mallard & Sharp, P.A.’s goal is to obtain justice for families who have lost a loved one due to a maternal birth injury death due to provable medical malpractice.
Mallard & Sharp, P.A. is committed to providing clients with the path to justice and financial recovery. The firm continually handles diverse cases that involve infant or maternal birth injuries, medical malpractice, and negligent security, as well as any other acts of provable negligence that cause catastrophic injuries or wrongful death to individuals.
For additional information or to inquire about expert legal representation for a potential birth injury medical malpractice negligence case, including one involving a Maternal Birth Injury Death Due to Medical Malpractice, contact Mallard & Sharp, P.A. at 305-461-4800.
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7377107/
2 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22280858/
3 https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternal-mortality/erase-mm/data-mmrc.html
5 https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0919-pregnancy-related-deaths.html