Woman dies after C-section, estate files medical malpractice suit

As a general rule, C-sections are very beneficial because they often save the lives of unborn children and their mothers. However, in some cases, complications can arise. When the hospital staff does not have the appropriate medication or tools on-hand to combat the complications, it can lead to the mother's or the baby's premature death. Unfortunately, that is what reportedly happened in a recent case outside of New York, when a mother lost her life during a c-section surgery; and this tragic case has led to the filing of a medical malpractice claim.

The woman was 35 weeks pregnant when she began to suffer chest pain, abdominal pain, vomiting and a severe headache. She went to the hospital to see what was wrong. It was then determined that she would give birth the following day via a C-section.

She underwent a C-section the next day. Her estate alleges that the hospital and staff did not have the necessary medication to control the woman's blood pressure. Due to this, she allegedly suffered complications that ultimately led to her untimely death.

Although a C-section can be a life-saving procedure, it often brings more complications than a typical delivery. When the surgery is performed without the proper and necessary tools and medication, the mother may be exposed to certain complications and risks that could have easily been avoided. Anyone in New York who feels they have been the victim of negligent care of a physician, nurse or hospital may be able to pursue a legal claim in order to obtain financial restitution. A successfully litigated medical malpractice claim may be able to help the victim financially and emotionally, but it may also help ensure the safety of other patients in similar situations.

Source: The Cook County Record, "Silver Cross Hospital, others face med-mal claim over woman’s death following C-section", Ben Hart, May 5, 2014