Legal Recourse When Your Wife Dies in Labor

 Posted on July 30, 2024 in Wrongful Death

When you and your wife discovered that she was pregnant, you were elated. Together, you were in awe of the miracle of life, and as each month passed, you imagined how life would be with your new addition. When something went wrong in the delivery room, you went from joyous excitement to panic and dread immediately. What should have been your happiest day ever quickly turned into your worst nightmare as maternal death left you alone to raise your baby while grieving.

Death is an inevitable part of life and is sometimes unavoidable in childbirth. However, there are times when it is caused by medical negligence. If you believe your wife’s death was the result of the medical care she received during labor, let a passionate Chicago, IL maternal death lawyer handle the legal side of these matters so you can focus on your and your family’s well-being.

Why Did My Wife Die?

Maternal death is when a mother dies because of a condition related to or exacerbated by pregnancy any time from when she got pregnant till 42 days after delivery. Maternal death rates are relatively higher in America than in many other developed countries. Some reasons for this disparity are:

• Increased rates of chronic health issues
• Inequality in health care related to socioeconomic status and other demographic factors
• Pregnancy at older ages

A damming and worrisome statistic published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is that over 80% of maternal deaths are preventable. That means that with reasonable changes to the patient’s care or other related factors, there is a chance that the death could have been avoided. Recognition of urgent maternal warning signs, quality care, and accurate and timely diagnoses can all help reduce the risk of maternal death.

Should I Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim?

No court ruling will ever bring back your baby’s mother. However, holding someone accountable for their actions or negligence that led to her death can help you by demonstrating that justice is served. It might also feel worthwhile if your claims ensure that whoever was responsible never makes the same mistakes again.

Additionally, the tragic death can result in an added financial burden. You might need to cover costly medical bills, funeral costs, and an unpaid extended leave from work, in addition to the need for extra childcare. Compensation for these damages can not help you heal from your grief, but it can take financial concerns off of your list of things to worry about so you can focus on the mental and emotional work you and your family need to do.

Contact a Cook County, IL Maternal Death Attorney

The death of a mother during or right after childbirth is tragic and, in many cases, avoidable. If anyone could have prevented it, let a Chicago, IL malpractice lawyer hold them accountable so they never act with such negligence again. At Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd., we can handle your case with compassion and fight hard for justice to be served. Call us at 312-462-4200 to schedule a free consultation so we can review your options and decide together how to move forward.