A new study from the CDC has found that one in five women in the U.S. are mistreated during maternity care. Unfortunately, the study found that the rate of mistreatment is even higher among African American (30%), Hispanic (29%), and multiracial (28%) women. The most frequent complaint was the patient being ignored by the doctor/PA/NP. The other complaints, which are more surprising, include being yelled at (7%), violations of privacy (5%), and threats to withhold treatment (5%).
These numbers may seem shocking, but it shouldn’t. The United States consistently ranks very poorly among 1st world countries in maternity care and delivery of babies. In fact, from 2018 to 2021, “maternal death rates jumped from 17.4 to 32.9 per 100,000 live births.” That is an astonishing amount of maternal deaths during or due to childbirth. Even worse, it has been determined that 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are completely preventable.
This is exactly why medical malpractice lawsuits are so important. No one wants to be in a position to have to sue a doctor, a PA, or a hospital, but these malpractice cases are the only things that keep providers from pushing the bounds of negligence even further. Wrongful death cases ensure doctors and nurses do the right thing, because they know they will be held accountable.
Snyder & Wenner has handled thousands of wrongful death and medical malpractice cases. Consistently named a best medical malpractice and wrongful death firm in all of Arizona (including Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Tucson), Snyder & Wenner has a reputation throughout the country of being experts in this field. Contact us today if you have any questions.
