Postpartum Negligence

Do you know or suspect that something was off with the care you received after childbirth? You may be dealing with the effects of a preventable medical mistake. Some of the most serious cases of medical malpractice after childbirth involve overlooked symptoms, delayed treatment, or rushed discharges.

The postpartum negligence attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can review your case and determine whether your healthcare provider failed to meet the medical standard of care. Our team handles medical malpractice cases across Illinois and works to hold negligent hospitals and medical providers accountable when they harm patients. Contact us now to tell us your story in a free consultation. We are here to listen and help you explore your legal options.

Introduction to Postpartum Care

The period following childbirth, known as the postpartum period, is a crucial time for both the mother and her newborn. Lasting typically six to eight weeks after birth, this phase involves significant physical and emotional changes that require attentive and skilled medical care. During postpartum care, medical professionals—including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers—are responsible for closely monitoring the mother’s recovery and promptly addressing any complications that may arise.

Proper postpartum care involves vigilant monitoring of vital signs, such as blood pressure and oxygen levels, to detect early warning signs of serious conditions like postpartum hemorrhage, excessive bleeding, blood clots, or high blood pressure. Medical staff must also be alert to risk factors, such as a history of complications or underlying health issues, and take proactive steps to prevent severe complications. Thorough follow-up visits, clear discharge instructions, and detailed medical records are essential components of safe postpartum care.

Unfortunately, when healthcare providers fail to uphold the applicable standard of care—whether through communication breakdowns, missed warning signs, or inadequate monitoring—serious injuries, health complications, or even death can occur. Negligence during the postpartum period can lead to life-threatening situations, such as uterine rupture, hypovolemic shock, or the need for intensive care and blood transfusions. In the most tragic cases, families may face the loss of a cherished member of their family.

For families affected by medical negligence during postpartum care, pursuing a medical malpractice claim can be a vital step toward seeking accountability and recovery. A knowledgeable law firm with experience in complex medical malpractice cases can help families seek compensation for measurable damages, including lost income, medical bills, and emotional suffering. If you suspect that medical negligence contributed to postpartum complications or birth injuries, a postpartum negligence lawyer can provide a free and confidential case evaluation to discuss your legal options. Taking legal action helps families recover and encourages higher standards of care for future mothers and children.

How Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Can Assist with Postpartum Negligence Claims

At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we help families take legal action after serious postpartum injuries or wrongful death. Our lawyers have decades of experience handling medical negligence cases, including claims involving delayed treatment, undiagnosed infections, and uncontrolled bleeding after childbirth.

We understand what it takes to gather the right medical records, work with qualified experts, and hold hospitals and doctors accountable for preventable mistakes during the postnatal period. In Illinois, expert testimony is required to prove negligence in medical malpractice cases, as it demonstrates how healthcare providers’ actions deviated from accepted standards and directly caused injury. Additionally, Illinois medical malpractice claims require an affidavit of merit, certifying reasonable cause for filing the legal claim. Our experienced legal team can help ensure that you meet these strict requirements.

If your loved one died or suffered long-term harm after giving birth, we can investigate what went wrong and explain your legal options under Illinois law. Our team can handle every part of your medical negligence claim, from your initial case review through settlement or trial.

From our offices in Chicago and Waukegan, we represent clients throughout Illinois and have recovered over $3 billion in verdicts and settlements in personal injury and malpractice cases. We focus on building strong claims that reflect the full physical, emotional, and financial impact of our clients’ injuries.

Postpartum Negligence and Standard of Care in Chicago

Doctors and nurses must follow established safety rules when treating patients. These rules make up the “standard of care,” which is the level of attention and care that the medical community considers appropriate in a given situation.

The standard of care for postpartum patients includes things such as monitoring for bleeding, infection, high blood pressure, and other known risks. If medical providers fail to monitor for these issues, delay treatment, or skip basic follow-up steps, they may be considered negligent for failing to uphold the standard of care.

According to the Illinois Maternal Mortality Data Report, more than 91 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. In many of those cases, care teams failed to act even when mothers showed clear signs of distress. If providers fail to meet the standard of care in this way, affected patients may have grounds for medical negligence claims.

Common Examples of Medical Malpractice During Recovery

Postpartum mothers depend on doctors, nurses, other medical professionals, and hospitals to monitor their symptoms and respond quickly to potential warning signs after delivery. If medical providers ignore clear signs of distress, delay treatment, or forgo proper procedures, patients can suffer serious and avoidable harm. Here are several common examples of medical malpractice that can occur during postpartum recovery:

• Failure to Recognize Postpartum Hemorrhage: Failure to diagnose postpartum complications like serious bleeding can be deadly. If healthcare providers overlook how much blood a patient is losing or do not provide the right care in time, the delay can lead to shock, organ failure, or death.
• Missed Signs of Infection: Mothers face a high risk of infection after delivery, especially following C-sections or complicated vaginal births. If a doctor dismisses postpartum symptoms like fever, pain, or foul-smelling discharge, infections can develop and lead to life-threatening sepsis.
• Delayed Response to Preeclampsia or Eclampsia: Some women develop dangerous blood pressure problems after giving birth, but symptoms may not appear until days later. If a healthcare provider fails to check blood pressure or ignores warning signs, patients can suffer permanent harm.
• Inadequate Mental Health Evaluation and Treatment: Postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis often go undiagnosed. If a doctor skips screening for these conditions or fails to refer a patient for care, untreated mental illness can contribute to self-harm or harm to the child.
• Improper Discharge Planning: Some providers send patients home without addressing ongoing symptoms, explaining warning signs, or offering a follow-up plan. If a mother encounters unexpected issues post-discharge and is not sure when to seek help, she can suffer serious harm.
• Ignoring Medical History: Providers should tailor postpartum care based on each patient’s health risks. For example, a mother with a history of complicated deliveries may require extra attention. If a team ignores a patient’s needs, they might inadvertently put her at risk.

Key factors contributing to postpartum negligence can include understaffed facilities and medication errors. Understaffing in hospitals often results in critical changes in a mother’s condition going unmonitored. Severe internal injuries from complications during delivery often go undiagnosed, sometimes leading to litigation against healthcare providers in Chicago.

Liability for Maternal Injuries and Hospital Negligence

Several parties may be legally responsible for a postpartum injury or death. A maternal injury or hospital negligence claim can name any parties that failed to provide proper care, including:

• Hospitals or care facilities
• Labor and delivery nurses
• Obstetricians
• Emergency room doctors
• Hospital administrators or supervisors
• Medical groups or private practices
• Pharmacies or medication providers
• Third-party contractors involved in patient care

Damages and Compensation for Postpartum Complications

Many families are financially unprepared for the medical costs related to postpartum injuries, but financial compensation from a personal injury claim or lawsuit can help support affected families. A successful postpartum negligence claim can provide the financial support families need to recover what they have lost. Depending on the situation, Illinois families may be entitled to compensation for the following:

• Medical bills
• Future healthcare costs
• Income losses
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Funeral and burial costs (in wrongful death cases)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of companionship or support
• Disability or disfigurement
• Assistance with childcare or household tasks

Illinois law gives you two years from the date you knew or reasonably should have known that you were injured to file a lawsuit. You must also provide a written report from a medical professional who supports your claim when you file your lawsuit or within 90 days after filing. If you miss a single requirement or deadline, the court may dismiss your case. This is why it is so important to contact a medical malpractice attorney as soon as you know or suspect you might have a postpartum hemorrhage lawsuit or other medical negligence claim.

Contact our Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorneys

If you believe medical negligence played a role in the harm you suffered postpartum, talk to a lawyer from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Our team has a long record of helping families like yours hold hospitals and providers accountable for preventable errors. Contact us now to arrange your free consultation. We will listen, review the facts, and explain your next steps at no cost or obligation to you.