Stillborn deliveries and fetal death may be due to medical malpractice. At The Cochran Firm, D.C., our attorneys have fought for the rights of parents feeling pain and sorrow after the loss of a child. When expecting parents visit a hospital, they are legally entitled to be met with a certain standard of care by the physicians preparing for the child’s delivery. Unfortunately, complications can arise during pregnancy preventing the healthy birth of a child. Sadly, even though these complications may be caused by negligent medical care, parents often blame themselves.
Physicians have legal duties to meet certain standards of medical care. If a stillborn delivery occurs due the negligence of the attending physician, parents may be able to file a medical malpractice claim for the ensuing fetal death.
Fetal death in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia is defined as death prior to the complete extraction of the fetus from its mother regardless of the duration of pregnancy. This means there is no distinction between a “miscarriage” and “stillborn birth” in the eyes of the law. While some states make legal distinctions between miscarriage and stillborn deaths, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia do not.
Fetal death is indicated by the fact that after extraction, the fetus does not show any signs of life such as breathing, a heartbeat, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or movement of voluntary muscles. Washington, D.C. and Maryland’s legal definition of fetal death does not include induced terminations of pregnancy.
A number of factors may contribute to the stillborn death of a child.
Hospitals and physicians may not be forthcoming with information about your child’s death or may even attempt to cover up the negligence which caused your injury. The Cochran Firm, D.C. has a team of seasoned attorneys, registered nurses, and investigators who work tirelessly to secure justice for their clients.
Speaking with an experienced medical malpractice attorney can help determine if the physicians delivering your child breached their legal duty of medical care for you and your child. Our attorneys can help you recover for your hospital bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
We offer free legal consultations to parents who have lost a child due to suspected medical malpractice. The Cochran Firm, D.C. represents its clients on a contingency basis, meaning there are absolutely no legal fees unless we win your case.
Strict time deadlines apply when filing stillborn birth medical malpractice claims so please contact The Cochran Firm, D.C. at your earliest convenience. Call us during business hours at 202-682-5800 or at 1-800-THE FIRM (843-3476) to reach us 24 hours a day.
You may also fill out an online contact form and a member of our firm will contact you.