New York City New York Legal Blog

Nothing is more joyful than learning you are pregnant, carrying your growing baby and delivering a healthy child. Becoming a mother, whether it is for the first time or the third, is an accomplishment that should not be downplayed. Pregnant women should consult an obstetrician for support throughout their pregnancy and care during the delivery of the baby.

There are several key responsibilities that every obstetrician must fulfill to effectively serve patients. Violation of these responsibilities can have dire consequences for both mothers and children. If your obstetrician has failed to fulfill any of the following obligations, it may constitute medical malpractice:

The birth of a new baby is a unique anticipation. Expectant mothers are feeling many emotions, including joy, impatience and nerves. There is a lot of unknown about the process and what will happen during birth.

During a pregnancy and birth, so much focus is placed on the care of the baby that mothers' symptoms can sometimes be forgotten or ignored. Medical professionals can make mistakes that cause complications or injuries no new parent should have to experience.

Federal, state and local governments, as well as countless nonprofit organizations and law enforcement agencies, have expended enormous amounts of time, effort and money in an attempt to combat drunk driving. Despite their efforts, though, the fact remains that drunk driving is a problem that will continue to plague New York for the foreseeable future. In fact, whether such efforts have actually curtailed drunk driving accidents is debatable. The same is holding true for those who drive under the influence of drugs, which seems to be on the rise.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can pose a significant threat to other motorists and pedestrians who are nearby. One reason is because drugs and alcohol drastically slow one's reaction time. Therefore, even if an intoxicated person is able to identify slow or stopped traffic, or a pedestrian in a crosswalk, by the time he or she hits the brakes it may be too late to stop in time to avoid a collision. This can also occur when an intoxicated motorist drifts into oncoming traffic.

The sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one can be difficult for anyone to handle. While the emotional harm of knowing that one will never hear a loved one's laughter again or spend another holiday together is more than enough to leave surviving family members with unimaginable pain, they may also be forced to confront the financial loss often associated with these incidences. This can be particularly difficult to cope with, especially during a time when surviving family members are simply trying to move on in remembrance of their lost loved one.

Although it may be challenging to think about legal action during this time, doing so could lead to the imposition of liability, the recovery of compensation and closure. Compensation can help alleviate the financial damages unfairly thrust upon a family, such as medical expenses, funeral costs and loss of support, but it can also help alleviate some of the noneconomic harm caused. This may include loss of consortium and pain and suffering.