Close-up woman pregnant belly with teddy toy bear.

Maternal Death Lawyer in Chicago

No mother should die during childbirth in a country with the resources of the United States, but maternal death cases happen alarmingly often. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report over 800 women nationwide died from pregnancy complications in one recent year, giving the U.S. a maternal mortality rate of 22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. These deaths are unacceptable, and many of them result from negligence by doctors or other healthcare providers.

The Chicago maternal death lawyers at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help you find justice and recover fair compensation if your spouse or child died during childbirth. Our attorneys have extensive experience with birth injury cases and can manage all the legal work related to your claim. You have enough to worry about after a loved one’s untimely death, and we can give you the time and space you need to grieve while we protect your rights.

Call now or complete our contact form for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Chicago maternal death attorney. You pay nothing unless we recover money for your case.

How Our Chicago Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death Lawyers Can Help

An Illinois maternal mortality attorney from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. is an essential ally as you fight for justice after a spouse or loved one’s death in childbirth. Our lawyers understand the complex rules involved in medical malpractice and wrongful death cases, and we have a proven track record in these cases. We have recovered over $2.5 billion for our clients, including over 350 multimillion-dollar verdicts or settlements. For example, we recovered nearly $76 million in a recent Cook County birth injury case.

Some of the ways our lawyers can help with your case include the following:

  • The Initial Investigation – We can review your deceased family member’s medical records, question their medical team, interview eyewitnesses, and review other evidence to determine what caused your family’s death and who bears the blame. This initial investigation is crucial because it forms the foundation of your claim. Furthermore, there is a higher burden of proof in medical malpractice cases, as you must prove a doctor’s actions do not align with what another provider with similar training and experience would have done in the same situation.
  • Filing a Claim – Once we complete the initial investigation, we can file a claim with the liable parties and their insurance companies on your behalf. We can ensure all the necessary paperwork is submitted correctly and within the required deadlines. Filing a claim without proper documentation or help from an attorney can lead to costly mistakes that may doom your claim.
  • Negotiating a Fair Settlement – Insurance companies never want to pay more for a claim than they have to or think they can get away with. We know how to push back against lowball settlement offers and fiercely defend your rights as we negotiate on your behalf. Our lawyers can also use the evidence we have gathered previously to make a more persuasive argument.
  • Representing You in Court – Doctors and insurance companies often prefer to avoid trials, but sometimes, a wrongful death lawsuit involving maternal death is the only way to recover fair compensation. Should your case go to trial, we are fully prepared to handle the necessary legal procedures and present a compelling case to the judge or jury.

Our clients appreciate our comprehensive, compassionate support in these situations. Here is what one client said about their experience with us:

“I wholeheartedly recommend the Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard team. They were phenomenal and understanding my [family’s] pain. My family went through an unimaginable tough time with the loss of our mom. The whole team was caring and understood my family’s concerns. I would definitely recommend this firm to anyone whose looking for professional representation and an overall phenomenal team to get you or your loved one justice. The whole team I would consider family.” – Kashuna H.

If you have additional questions about how we can help you with your case, we can schedule a time for you to speak with a maternal death lawyer in Chicago during a free consultation.

Common Causes of Mothers’ Deaths During Childbirth

The World Health Organization defines a maternal death as any death from causes related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management, whether during pregnancy and childbirth or within 42 days of a pregnancy’s termination. As maternal death lawyers in Chicago, we have seen the following common causes of such deaths:

  • Severe Bleeding – Uncontrolled bleeding during or after childbirth can be fatal for pregnant mothers if doctors do not treat it quickly. Severe bleeding can happen due to a ruptured uterus, placental abruption, or improper medical care.
  • Untreated High Blood Pressure – Mothers with pregnancy-related blood pressure issues may experience life-threatening complications if doctors do not help them manage it. Severe cases can cause seizures, strokes, or organ failure.
  • Blood Clots – Clots that form in the legs can break loose and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. The results can be fatal if doctors fail to recognize warning signs.
  • Anesthesia or Medication Errors – Mistakes during labor and delivery, such as an incorrect anesthesia dosage or the improper use of labor-inducing drugs, can cause severe, potentially fatal complications in pregnant mothers.
  • Uterine Ruptures – If the uterus tears during labor, it can cause life-threatening bleeding for a mother and fetal distress for her baby.
  • Negligent Medical Care – Improper prenatal care, delayed emergency responses during the birthing process, delayed or incorrect diagnoses, or failure to monitor the mother’s vital signs during or after birth can cause doctors to miss potentially fatal complications.

When Can a Family File a Wrongful Death Claim?

The Illinois Wrongful Death Act grants surviving family members the right to sue if a loved one dies due to someone else’s wrongful act, neglect, or default. In other words, the surviving family members must show that a doctor or healthcare facility provided inadequate care and that the provider’s negligence directly caused a mother’s death. Families must file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years of a mother’s death.

Call Our Wrongful Death Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation

You deserve a chance to hold a careless doctor or healthcare facility accountable for your loved one’s maternal death. Call Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. now or reach out online for a free, no-obligation consultation.