Everyone knows that getting pregnant carries some health risks, but no one thinks their pregnancy will result in death. Pregnancy-related deaths happen far too often in the United States, and sadly, there are women in Oregon who will lose their lives due to pregnancy, leaving their loved ones devastated. If medical malpractice contributed to their deaths, their surviving family members may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses.
How often do pregnancy-related deaths occur?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 700 women lose their lives each year either during pregnancy, during labor and delivery or soon after. When looking at the number of women who give birth in the United States every year, this number may seem small, but it is far from insignificant. One life lost is too many given the medical technologies currently available.
What is the cause?
Complications during pregnancy or delivery are behind these deaths. Complications are more common than people may realize. There are several reasons for this, and not all of them are a result of medical malpractice.
What if medical malpractice is a concern?
If a loved one is lost due to a pregnancy-related death, it is normal to want answers, and it is okay to want to hold the person potentially responsible accountable for their actions. If medical malpractice is believed to have contributed to the death, one may pursue civil actions against the responsible parties to seek compensation for the resulting damages. An experienced attorney can review the details of one’s case and, if appropriate, help one file any applicable claims in Oregon civil court.