When a Mother Is Lost, We Demand Answers—And Accountability
At Van Wey & Metzler, we stand with families who have suffered the unthinkable: the loss of a mother during pregnancy, labor, or shortly after childbirth. These tragedies should never be swept aside as “complications.” Far too often, they are the result of preventable medical negligence, systemic failures, or indifference to risk. We represent grieving families in Houston with one mission—holding the healthcare system accountable so that what happened to your loved one never happens again.
Maternal mortality isn’t just a medical failure. It’s a human crisis. And when the system fails mothers, we fight back—with the legal skill, medical insight, and fierce compassion that defines our firm.
A National Shame: The Reality of Maternal Mortality in the United States
The United States is one of the most dangerous places in the developed world to give birth. Despite cutting-edge medical technology, more women die in or shortly after childbirth here than in any other wealthy nation—and the numbers are rising.
The Numbers Tell a Grim Story:
- In 2021, the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. hit 33 deaths per 100,000 births—the highest rate in more than half a century.
- An estimated 700 to 900 women die from pregnancy-related causes every year in the U.S.
- Over 50,000 women experience severe, life-altering complications annually—many of which could be prevented.
- Investigative reports, including a groundbreaking USA Today series, have exposed how basic safety protocols are often ignored in delivery rooms across America.
These aren’t isolated mistakes. They are systemic breakdowns. And they are costing women their lives.
What Is Maternal Mortality?
Maternal mortality refers to the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of delivery due to complications from the pregnancy or its management. In the vast majority of cases, these tragedies could have been prevented through timely diagnosis, risk assessment, and emergency preparedness.
The Leading Causes of Preventable Maternal Death
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Hemorrhage—excessive bleeding after childbirth—is one of the top causes of maternal death. The tragedy? It’s usually predictable, often preventable, and manageable with prompt care.
Risk factors include:
- Prior C-sections or uterine surgeries
- Multiple gestations (twins, triplets)
- Advanced maternal age
- Excess amniotic fluid
- History of bleeding disorders
When hospitals fail to monitor blood loss or delay interventions, what should have been a routine delivery can turn fatal within minutes.
Hypertension, Preeclampsia & Stroke
Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, if left untreated, can trigger strokes, seizures, or organ failure. Failure to diagnose or respond to escalating blood pressure is one of the most common—and most preventable—errors in maternal care.
Infection and Sepsis
Postpartum infections often begin subtly but can spiral into fatal sepsis without proper monitoring. Warning signs like fever, increased heart rate, or abdominal pain must be addressed immediately. Too often, they’re ignored.
Delayed Emergency Response
Many hospitals still lack effective emergency protocols for obstetric crises. In moments when seconds matter, poor communication or slow action can cost a mother her life.
Medical Negligence and the Law: Your Right to Accountability
Every physician, nurse, and healthcare provider has a legal obligation to protect their patients. When they breach that duty—by skipping a protocol, ignoring a risk, or failing to act—they must be held accountable.
Common Forms of Medical Negligence in Maternal Death Cases:
- Failure to perform risk assessments for hemorrhage, hypertension, or infection
- Ignoring signs of distress during labor or post-delivery
- Inadequate monitoring of blood pressure, oxygenation, or bleeding
- Improper emergency response or delays in life-saving interventions
- Lack of informed consent for procedures or medications
When these failures result in death, it’s not just tragic—it’s grounds for a wrongful death claim.
Types of Cases We Handle
Wrongful Death Due to Postpartum Hemorrhage
Failure to anticipate or treat postpartum bleeding is among the most actionable—and heartbreaking—forms of malpractice we see.
Hypertension-Related Stroke or Eclampsia
Undiagnosed or poorly managed pregnancy-related hypertension can lead to stroke, brain injury, or death. We hold providers accountable for missing clear warning signs.
Delayed C-Sections or Emergency Response Failures
When labor turns dangerous, seconds count. Failure to perform a timely cesarean can result in irreversible loss.
Infection and Sepsis Deaths
Postpartum sepsis develops quickly. When medical teams fail to monitor or respond, families are left reeling from an entirely preventable loss.
What Compensation Can a Maternal Death Claim Provide?
No amount of money can replace a mother. But a legal claim can provide financial security, expose systemic failures, and help prevent future tragedies.
You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses prior to death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of future income and benefits
- Loss of companionship, love, and parental care
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages, in cases of gross negligence
We pursue not only compensation—but change. Because maternal deaths should never be swept under the rug.
Why Families Turn to Van Wey & Metzler
Proven Experience in Maternal Death and Birth Injury Law
We’ve spent decades litigating the most complex medical malpractice cases—including maternal mortality. We know the medicine, the law, and the resistance hospitals will put up to avoid responsibility.
Compassionate, Personalized Legal Representation
We understand this is the darkest chapter of your life. We listen. We guide. We walk every step with you—with sensitivity and strength.
Relentless Pursuit of Justice
Our firm exists to hold the medical system accountable. We’re not afraid to take on hospitals, corporate insurers, or broken systems. And we have the track record to prove it.
What to Expect from Our Legal Team
When you choose Van Wey & Metzler, you get a team that will:
- Investigate every detail of the death or injury
- Work with nationally recognized medical experts
- File all legal claims and navigate complex court procedures
- Negotiate aggressively or proceed to trial when necessary
- Keep you informed, empowered, and supported throughout the process
Speak With a Houston Maternal Death Attorney Today
If your wife, daughter, sister, or partner died from complications during pregnancy or childbirth, we are here to help you find answers and demand accountability.
