Childbirth is usually a joyous occasion for New York parents who have been waiting for months to meet the newest members of their families. For some, this experience is hampered by hospital and doctor errors. Birth injuries — either to the mother or child — can be physically, mentally and financially devastating for victims and their families.
In 2005, there were 23 maternal deaths for every 100,000 births in the United States. By 2013, that number had gone up to 28. Mothers are often injured by preventable accidents, including falling or being left alone during labor. Allowing women to move after an epidural or other medical intervention is also an incredibly dangerous practice that could be attributed to an error in judgment by an attending medical professional.
These dangers are even higher for black mothers. Data from the Centers for Disease Control revealed that black women in particular die at a rate three times higher than their infants and white mothers. Social inequalities are thought to play a role in this staggering difference.
Infants are also at risk for serious harm from doctor errors during labor. These types of birth injuries typically have lifelong impacts on their victims, from long-term pain and suffering to ongoing emotional trauma, they are no small matter. New York victims and their families often choose to cope with these types of injuries by pursuing compensation through medical malpractice claims. If successfully pursued to completion, victims can not only achieve just legal recourse, but may also affect change that protects future patients.
Source: sheknows.com, “What Causes Birth Injuries, & How Can They Be Avoided?”, Dec. 22, 2017