We Fight for You
Photo of professionals at Winckler & Harvey PLLC

Congress requests answers about childbirth safety in hospitals

On Behalf of | Oct 25, 2018 | Birth Injuries

In July, USA Today released results from an investigation that showed thousands of women throughout Texas and the rest of the country have died or been injured during childbirth due to lax safety practices in hospitals. As a result of the study, representatives from Congress have requested that operators from various maternity wards across the nation explain what they are doing to improve safety for mothers. The health care systems targeted were chosen for their size.

The Ways and Means Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives sent out thousands of letters. in early October seeking information about childbirth safety protocols. Committee members are attempting to answer a series of important questions, including how at-risk mothers are identified and how pregnancy-related deaths are tracked. The deadline for response by hospitals is Nov. 15.

In a statement to the press, representatives expressed their strong concern that women giving birth were being subject to unacceptable safety practices. An estimated 50,000 women suffer from this problem every year, and black women are 4 times more likely to be victims. Previously, this information was difficult to find, and many hospitals refused to answer questions about their own practices.

When a woman suffers from birth injuries due to malpractice at a health care provider, they may be able to get compensation from the responsible party. It’s the duty of a lawyer to be their client’s advocate no matter how powerful the party to blame may be. By filing a lawsuit, a mother could obtain compensation that covers medical bills, pain and suffering and more.

FindLaw Network