The joy a woman and her family experience from learning a child is on the way is indescribable. As soon as the test comes up positive all types of planning begin and all sorts of hopes and dreams form. What will the new bundle of joy be like? How will he or she look, and act? With all of these thoughts come many fun activities such as watching the baby grow through ultrasounds and doctors visits, planning the nursery, shopping for baby clothes and gear, and picking names. Of course there is only one way out for the baby, and with that thought comes the creation of a birthing plan.
Many women actually sit down and take the time to design a birthing plan, and discuss their wishes and goals with the partner as well as their physician. This plan will describe who will be in the delivery room, how the delivery is to take place, what music is to be played, if it will be photographed or videotaped, and what is to happen should an unexpected situation arises.
The process of giving birth is an extremely vulnerable time for the mother as well as the newborn baby. There is a great deal of stress (both physically and mentally) and along with the normal pain and birthing issues come the risk of complications. Complications during birth do happen, and can range a great deal in severity. Infections, hemorrhaging, and other types of difficulties can all occurring during the childbirth process and when they do, it is imperative that quick and proper medical care is administered. If a doctor or other member of the medical staff fail to provide immediate, and effective medical care, the results can be terribly devastating, and in some cases even fatal. Regrettably, death from childbirth, sometimes also called maternal deaths, do still occur in today's modern society and account for about one in every two thousand five hundred birth situations in the United States on an annual basis.
If someone you know has suffered a complication during childbirth that resulted in death because of a medical professional's negligence or malpractice, you need to know that you have legal rights and you can file a claim on behalf of your deceased loved one. You should not delay in consulting with a qualified personal injury attorney who specializes in this area of the law. He or she will review the details of your case, will assess its validity, and will ensure your rights are completely protected in all ways.
While the vast majority of childbirths go off without a hitch, or with extremely minimal complications, the World Health Organization does list major risk factors for death from childbirth to include the following complications: infections, hemorrhaging or severe bleeding, obstructed labor, eclampsia, and unsafe abortion.
Doctors and their medical staff can, and do, prevent a large number of deaths from childbirth by quickly providing treatments, medications, transfusions, and carrying out procedures such as caesarian sections and other surgical methods when an emergency situation arises.
It is important to note that death from childbirth is, for the most part, preventable as long as doctors and their medical staff are knowledgeable in proper care, and work promptly to administer it when needed. Anyone who has lost a loved one because of a mistake on the part of an obstetrician or because of another form of medical malpractice has the legal right to file a lawsuit to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
When deciding to file a lawsuit on behalf of a deceased loved one, you should not attempt to do so without the assistance of a highly skilled personal injury attorney. He or she knows this area of the law exceptionally well, and will handle every last detail for you. From initial filing, and meeting statutes of limitations, to collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and arranging for witness testimony if necessary, every aspect will be managed with the utmost care and professionalism.
Damages in cases having to do with death from childbirth can include a number of things including: past, present, and future medical bills, a loss of income, a loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and sometimes even punitive damages. The main purpose of punitive damages is to punish those who caused the harm in an effort to deter future acts of a similar nature from happening again.
If you have lost a loved one during childbirth, and you believe it was the direct result of a mistake made on the part of a medical professional, you should not delay in contacting a personal injury attorney who specializes in the area of medical malpractice and negligence. These professionals will help you to clearly understand your rights as well as your options and will work hard to protect your interests. Hospitals and medical staff have teams of legal representatives who work hard to protect their interests, and you should have the same. The medical community strives to prevent lawsuits at every turn, so it is important that you have an attorney managing your case for the best possible results.
On top of getting top notch legal representation, most personal injury attorneys do not require any type of payment upfront. There are usually no legal fees paid until the time the case settles. This can provide a great sense of comfort during an already extremely difficult time.
You should not hesitate to fight for your rights and for the legal rights of your deceased loved one. These types of cases should never be allowed to happen, and if they do, they should not go unpunished. In addition to securing your future, and the future of your family, by taking legal action, you are also helping to protect other innocent parties from the possibility of becoming a victim in the future. Doctors owe their patients a particular duty of care. When this duty of care is breached, medical professionals have not met their obligation for protection and the law has been violated.