Losing a mother during pregnancy, labor, or postpartum care is a profound and life-altering tragedy. While not every maternal death is preventable, many are the result of avoidable errors that need to be investigated. If the loss was caused by possible medical negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your unimaginable loss.
For decades, New York City birth injury lawyers at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP have represented families harmed by medical errors. Our role is to carefully review what happened, determine whether the care met accepted medical standards, and pursue accountability where preventable failures occurred.
Above all, we treat every family with the compassion and dignity they deserve as they navigate a profoundly difficult and life-altering loss.
Data from the CDC shows maternal mortality rates increased slightly last year after two years of decline. In New York State, a staggering 73.6 percent of pregnancy-related deaths had some chance of being prevented, according to the Department of Health.
These numbers underscore the importance of careful medical oversight during pregnancy and postpartum care. Too many preventable maternal deaths are linked to lapses in monitoring, delays in responding to complications, or broader systemic hospital failures.
Forms of negligence that may contribute to maternal mortality include:
Even in well-equipped hospitals, these failures can have tragic consequences.
Maternal deaths due to negligence often result from multiple breakdowns in medical care. Communication failures among physicians, nurses, and obstetric teams, insufficient monitoring during pregnancy, labor, or postpartum recovery, and delays in responding to warning signs in the labor ward or delivery room can all contribute. System-level issues, such as hospital staffing shortages, inadequate supervision, or poorly enforced obstetric protocols, may also play a role.
The emotional toll on families is immense. Beyond grief, families face the challenge of determining whether the death could have been avoided. At Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP, we carefully examine each case to identify all lapses in care that may have contributed to the loss of the mother.
When a maternal death is caused by medical negligence, New York law allows certain family members to pursue a wrongful death claim. These cases are designed to hold responsible parties accountable and to address the financial and personal losses suffered by surviving family members.
A maternal death case may qualify as medical malpractice when evidence shows that healthcare providers failed to follow accepted standards of care and that failure contributed to the death.
Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages may include:
In some cases, a separate survival action may also be brought to recover damages for the pain and suffering experienced by the laboring mother before she died.
If you believe you have a case, it is essential to act promptly. Under New York law, medical malpractice claims must generally be filed within two years and six months of the injury. Working with a maternal death lawyer ensures that all deadlines are met and evidence is preserved.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation by completing a form or calling
212-684-1880 to learn more about your legal options.
Every case we handle represents a family navigating unimaginable loss. We combine meticulous legal investigation with empathy and support, helping families seek answers, hold responsible parties accountable, and find a path forward. – Attorney Edward A. Ruffo
Maternal death cases require a careful review of the medical care provided throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. The investigation covers care provided in the labor ward and delivery room, during recovery, as well as decisions made by obstetric teams and hospital administration.
Our attorneys take the lead in obtaining and reviewing the medical records and documentation needed to understand how care was delivered and where breakdowns may have occurred.
This review may include:
As part of our investigation, we also work with an established network of medical professionals—including experienced OB-GYNs and maternal health specialists—who conduct independent reviews of the care provided. Their analysis helps us evaluate whether accepted standards of obstetric care were followed and supports our findings as we pursue accountability.
Maternal death cases require careful investigation and expert medical review. Our firm begins by thoroughly examining medical records, hospital protocols, and timelines of care.
We work with experienced OB-GYN specialists, maternal health experts, and other medical professionals to assess whether standards of care were met. Throughout the process, we guide families with sensitivity and respect, understanding that legal action often unfolds alongside profound grief.
Our role is to help families find answers and pursue accountability while shouldering the legal burden ourselves.
Why Choose Rheingold for a Maternal Death Case?
Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP has represented families in medical malpractice cases for more than five decades. Our attorneys have a strong record of success in cases involving obstetric negligence, birth injuries, and hospital system failures.
We are known for handling complex, high-value cases and for holding major hospital systems accountable when preventable failures occur. Our experience in catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation allows us to approach maternal death cases with the depth, resources, and care they require.
If your family has suffered the loss of a mother due to medical negligence, we are prepared to review the circumstances and help you fight for justice. Please contact us to schedule a free consultation. Our New York City birth injury lawyers are standing by to help.
