Having a baby in Oregon should be an exciting time and the beginning of a new adventure. For many women in America, this is not always the case. A recent article cites statistics that indicate that the United States as a whole suffers from an alarmingly high maternal death rate. This in part is believed to be due to hospitals not following best practices in caring for new mothers following the birth of their children. This failure to follow best practices could lead to obstetrical malpractice suits.
Among the issues noted in the article were a failure to adequately track and measure blood loss following a birth and a failure to act promptly on the issue of high blood pressure. A young woman in South Carolina was sent home from the hospital with her newborn in spite of the fact that her blood pressure was dangerously high. She later returned to the ER complaining of a headache and her blood pressure was even higher than when she had been discharged. She suffered a stroke while in the waiting room and later died.
The woman’s husband is now raising three little girls on his own. While maternal death rates in other countries have been stable or dropping in recent years, that same statistic in the United States has risen sharply. The majority of serious injuries and deaths resulting from postpartum complications could have been prevented according to the American Hospital Association.
A woman in Oregon who believes that she may have suffered severe postpartum complications may wish to have a confidential conversation with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. A knowledgeable attorney can review the circumstances of the case and advise the client as to whether an obstetrical malpractice suit is a viable option. A successful civil lawsuit could assist with medical expenses incurred by the postpartum complications.