Thousands of families choose Illinois as a place to raise children and enjoy their lives. Many of the state’s urban and suburban neighborhoods are safe places for children of all ages. However, the government in Springfield just started looking at a disturbing trend that may threaten the safety of mothers and children.
Health care in Illinois and elsewhere in the United States is the envy of much of the world, but a four-year investigation by USA Today showed the nation to be the “most dangerous place to give birth in the developed world.” Maternal mortality claims an annual average of 73 Illinois women within a year of giving birth.
The Land of Lincoln ranks 18th among states in maternal mortality. The Illinois Department of Public Health also found that Black women are six times more likely to die due to a pregnancy-related issue than those of other ethnicities. At least a third of all pregnancy-related maternal deaths can be avoided through preventative care.
Two things that help save mother’s lives are access to hospitals and clinical health care providers. The study also makes recommendations on tightening regulations on birth locations and expanding postnatal care to ensure mothers’ survival.
If a mother or baby is injured or dies due to medical malpractice or poor hospital conditions, the surviving family may have a case for financial damages. These payments can help a family recover from a tragedy and provide incentives to prevent future deaths. An attorney can help review the entire situation and make recommendations for whether there’s a viable medical malpractice case.
