Ohio Is Losing Babies. When Is It Malpractice?
Ohio lawmakers are taking notice of a crisis that has been building for years. Bipartisan legislation currently moving through both chambers of the General Assembly aims to expand mental health screenings for expectant mothers—a direct response to the state’s unacceptably high infant and maternal mortality rates.
It’s an important step. But legislation doesn’t help the families who have already lost someone. And for many of them, the question isn’t just why their baby died—it’s whether someone should be held accountable.
Ohio’s Numbers Tell a Troubling Story
Ohio consistently ranks among the worst states in the country for infant and maternal mortality. The infant mortality rate in Ohio is roughly 7.1 deaths per 1,000 live births—significantly higher than the national average. Maternal mortality stands at 24.5 deaths per 100,000 births.
These aren’t just statistics. Behind every number is a family that went to a hospital expecting a healthy delivery and came home without their child—or their mother. Not every tragic outcome is the result of negligence. But some are. And families deserve to know the difference.
What Medical Negligence During Childbirth Can Look Like
Doctors, nurses, and hospitals are held to a professional standard of care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. When that standard is breached and harm results, it may constitute medical malpractice. Common examples include:
- Failure to monitor fetal heart rate or recognize signs of fetal distress
- Delayed or improper response to oxygen deprivation during labor
- Failure to screen for or treat dangerous conditions like preeclampsia
- Delaying a necessary C-section when warning signs are present
- Misuse of delivery instruments such as forceps or vacuum extractors
- Inadequate postpartum monitoring of mother or newborn
Don’t Assume the Outcome Was Inevitable
One of the most important things a grieving family can do is ask hard questions. Hospitals and insurers have an interest in characterizing tragic outcomes as unavoidable. An experienced attorney can review medical records, consult with experts, and tell you whether what happened to your family should have happened at all.
In Ohio, birth injury claims are subject to specific statutes of limitations—and those deadlines can pass quickly during what is already an overwhelming time. Don’t wait to get answers.
The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help your family understand what happened and who is responsible. When medical negligence costs you the life of a child or a mother, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (877) 944-4373 so I can evaluate your case right away.
