The death of a loved one is one of the most heartrending experiences you could have in life. In the medical profession, one simple mistake can have devastating results. At the law office of Michael H. Bereston, Inc., we have been there for clients in the aftermath of a tragedy that could have been avoided. We feel it is important for Maryland residents to understand their rights in a wrongful death situation.
First, you must realize the definition of wrongful death. According to the Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute, wrongful death is a fatality that occurs after someone’s negligence, criminal behavior or professional misconduct resulted in the death of someone else. For example, wrongful death cases often result after a car accident in which the responsible party had been driving recklessly or was intoxicated.
Wrongful death in the prenatal and obstetrics field might result from the following situations:
- The obstetrician failed to diagnose a serious condition, such as preeclampsia, that ended up being fatal to the mother.
- A pregnancy complication, such as a detached placenta, was not caught in time, resulting in the death of the unborn baby.
- A doctor or nurse made a mistake during labor or delivery, which resulted in a fatal injury.
To qualify as wrongful death, certain requirements must be met. You may need to show that the death caused a financial injury to your family, such as significant medical and funeral expenses or lost wages. This may be a difficult time, but obtaining compensation for a wrongful death may hold the responsible party accountable for their actions, as well as give you some closure. Our wrongful death page explains more.