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Why Does the U.S. Have a Maternal Death Epidemic?

America is an economic superpower with a world-class healthcare system, but its rate of maternal deaths is on the rise. In fact, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) shares that the United States leads all other developed countries in deaths caused by complications related to pregnancy. This is a staggering statistic that begs the question of how we got here in the first place. If you or someone you love was injured or worse as a result of inadequate medical care during pregnancy or delivery, you need the professional legal counsel of an experienced Ohio medical malpractice attorney.

Maternal Mortality: The Statistics

ACOG relays several bewildering statistics related to maternal mortality, including:

Pregnancy-Related Deaths

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a pregnancy-related death as the death of a woman who is either pregnant or is within one year of having been pregnant (regardless of the outcome of the pregnancy) and whose death was caused by something related to the pregnancy, by something that was aggravated by the pregnancy, or by the management of the pregnancy – but not from a cause that was incidental or accidental. The CDC notes that about 700 women die every year in the U.S. from pregnancy-related complications.

CDC’s Conclusions

The CDC concludes that about three out of every five pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. This bears repeating: three-fifths of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Further, there is a significant disparity in maternal mortality related to race. While a great deal of research has been conducted and much data has been collected, the CDC cannot pinpoint exactly where the problem lies. The CDC does relay, however, that we need a better understanding of those circumstances that are most likely to lead to pregnancy-related deaths in order to implement strategies to reduce future risk. With a comprehensive review of these tragic deaths, we’ll be better prepared to identify those factors that are most dangerous and to find beneficial strategies to help prevent future pregnancy-related deaths.

If Someone You Love Was Injured by Negligent Care During Pregnancy, You Need an Experienced Ohio Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Pregnancy is one of the most exciting times in any couple’s life, but when that pregnancy ends tragically because of inadequate care, it is heartbreaking. If you or someone you love has been injured – or worse – because you didn’t receive the quality medical care you needed and deserved during your pregnancy, the dedicated medical malpractice attorneys at The Eisen Law Firm serving Sandusky, and other Ohio cities, are committed to advocating aggressively for the compensation to which you are entitled and for changes to hospital policies so that what you experienced doesn’t happen to someone else. Our experienced legal team focuses exclusively on medical malpractice, and we care about you and your case. We’re here to help, so please don’t hesitate to call 216-687-0900 or contact us online for more information today.