The United States does not have a very good record when it comes to infant and maternal health during childbirth. As far as developed nations go, we stay near the bottom of the pack when it comes to infant mortality rates and maternal death rates. Often, complications arise due to a doctor’s negligence.
Vladimir Tsirkin & Associates is here to help if you need a Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice attorney. Our qualified and experienced team will work to secure the compensation you need for all of your incident-related expenses.
Childbirth is often a difficult process and there is no way to predict everything that can go wrong. However, this USA Today story points out that many birth injuries and maternal deaths could be prevented if doctors and healthcare staff focus more on the signs and symptoms in front of them.
The story of Felicia Wood is heartbreaking. After giving birth, she began to experience complications, but doctors ignored them. Her blood pressure raised, and her head was killing her. For three hours her condition deteriorated but she was only given painkillers and an ice pack.
A doctor in training was finally asked to figure out why her blood pressure was so high but, according to a nurse’s notes, the doctor said it would take a while to see Felicia. Felicia did not have a while.
She was dead before dawn.
For years healthcare professionals have placed the blame on maternal deaths and injuries on “unforeseen complication.” In fact, they often blame a patient’s poverty (lack of prenatal care) and pre-existing medical conditions.
The reality is that doctors are not responding rapidly enough to medical situations. If Felicia Wood’s blood pressure had been controlled, she would likely still be alive and with her family.
According to USA Today, more than 700 women die and 50,000 are injured each year due to childbirth complications. This may not come as a surprise when we consider that medical mistake is now the third leading cause of death in the United States.
One major problem is that the federal government allows hospitals to keep childbirth complications private. This can lead some facilities to classify certain injuries and deaths as being related to birth when they may not be in order to hide other mistakes.
If you or a loved one have suffered from a birth injury and you believe a healthcare professional has caused the injury, please seek legal assistance immediately. Vladimir Tsirkin & Associates will be by your side, investigating what happened and working to secure the compensation you deserve. This can include:
These cases can become incredibly complex, especially dealing with insurance companies and powerful medical systems. When you need a Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 305-831-4333.
