Losing a child is an unimaginable tragedy. But when a doctor’s negligence causes that loss, families deserve answers and justice. Medical errors like delayed C-sections, failure to monitor fetal distress, and medication mistakes can lead to preventable fetal death.
Fetal death, also known as stillbirth, refers to the loss of a baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy, either before or during delivery. If a baby dies during labor and is born without signs of life, it is still classified as a stillbirth rather than a neonatal death.
About 21,000 babies are stillborn in the U.S. each year, roughly 1 in 175 births. If your child’s death resulted from medical negligence, knowing your legal rights is critical. Legal action can help hold negligent medical providers accountable and provide financial relief for your family.
Common Causes of Fetal Death Due to Medical Negligence
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers have a duty to monitor and care for both mother and baby throughout pregnancy and childbirth. When they fail in this duty, preventable tragedies can occur.
Some of the most common instances of medical negligence that contribute to fetal death include:
Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress
Fetal distress is a warning sign that a baby may not be receiving enough oxygen. This can occur due to complications such as umbilical cord compression, placental abruption, or prolonged labor.
Healthcare providers should closely monitor fetal heart rate using electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) and take immediate action if signs of distress appear. Failure to respond to distress signals can lead to oxygen deprivation, brain damage, or stillbirth.
Mismanagement of Umbilical Cord Complications
The umbilical cord is the baby’s lifeline, providing oxygen and nutrients from the mother. Complications such as umbilical cord prolapse (when the cord slips through the cervix before the baby) or nuchal cord (when the cord wraps around the baby’s neck) can lead to fetal asphyxia.
If a doctor fails to identify and manage these emergencies, the baby may suffer fatal consequences.
Delayed Emergency C-Section
An emergency cesarean section (C-section) is often necessary when complications arise during labor and delivery that put the baby at risk. Delays in performing a C-section can lead to prolonged oxygen deprivation, resulting in fetal death.
A doctor’s failure to recognize the need for an urgent C-section or hospital staff delaying a necessary procedure can lead to preventable fetal death. When this happens, it may constitute medical negligence.
Improper Administration of Medication
Certain medications used during pregnancy and labor, including Pitocin (used to induce labor) and anesthesia, must be carefully administered. Incorrect dosages or improper monitoring can cause complications such as uterine hyperstimulation, decreased fetal oxygen supply, and, in severe cases, fetal demise.
Proving Medical Malpractice in Fetal Death Cases
When a doctor’s negligence results in fetal death, the grieving parents may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
At Beam Legal Team, we know how to build strong malpractice cases. Our attorneys work with top medical experts to establish these key elements and provide the evidence needed to hold negligent medical providers responsible:
- Duty of Care: The healthcare provider was legally obligated to provide competent medical care to the mother and baby.
- Breach of Duty: The provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care expected in similar medical situations.
- Causation: The provider’s negligence directly led to the fetal death.
- Damages: The family suffered harm, including emotional and financial losses, due to the loss of their child.
If you believe medical negligence led to your loss, proving malpractice requires strong evidence, such as medical records, expert testimony, and witness statements. This is where our experienced Chicago birth injury lawyers can help build a solid case.
We specialize in handling complex birth injury and medical malpractice claims. Our firm has secured millions for families affected by medical negligence, and we are prepared to fight for you.
How a Birth Injury Lawyer Can Help
Managing a medical malpractice claim while grieving a devastating loss can be overwhelming. An experienced birth injury attorney at Beam Legal Team can:
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding the fetal death.
- Gather and analyze medical records to identify instances of negligence.
- Consult with medical experts to establish how the doctor’s actions deviated from the standard of care.
- Pursue compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, emotional distress, and other damages.
- Advocate for the family in negotiations with insurance companies or in court, if necessary.
Seek Compensation for Your Loss
No amount of compensation can replace the life of a lost child, but holding negligent medical providers accountable can provide a sense of justice and financial support for grieving families. If you suspect that medical negligence contributed to the death of your baby, reach out to our team for legal representation.
The compassionate Chicago birth injury lawyers at Beam Legal Team have successfully represented families in some of the most complex birth injury cases, recovering more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for grieving parents.
Time is critical in medical malpractice cases. Contact our law firm today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.