Giving birth is much safer than it used to be, but most Ohio mothers-to-be are aware that some complications may still come up during labor and delivery. In the age of modern medicine, most people do not expect women to die during childbirth. However, that is exactly what happened to one mother in another state as she was giving birth to her second child. Recently, her husband was awarded $15.5 million in an OBGYN negligence lawsuit against her delivery room physicians and MacNeal Hospital.

According to reports, the 33-year-old woman died from excessive bleeding while having a cesarean section in Feb. 2008. She reportedly had a very serious complication known as placenta accreta that caused the bleeding. The two doctors named in the suit — a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and an OBGYN, respectively — are accused of failing to diagnose and treat her complication. Fortunately, the baby survived the birth.

The court proceedings lasted about two weeks. The jury, which consisted of four men and eight women, deliberated for almost six hours before determining that the man should be compensated for wrongful death and medical malpractice. Afterwards, the hospital issued a statement that disagreed with the verdict and expressed sympathy to the man and his family.

Most pregnant women in Ohio and elsewhere feel that it's important to establish a good, trusting relationship with their doctors during their pregnancy and delivery. If OBGYN negligence occurs, the affected parties may wish to review what options they may pursue under our medical malpractice laws. In some cases, compensation may be awarded for physical and emotional pain and suffering, as well as other damages. In addition, pursuing such a claim may restore some peace of mind and provide a sense of closure.

Source: ABC 7 News, Man wins $15.5M after wife's childbirth death, No author, Nov. 22, 2013