Fetal baby death, also known as stillbirth, occurs when a baby dies before or during delivery after 20 weeks of pregnancy. This devastating experience leaves parents heartbroken and seeking answers about what went wrong. In many cases, stillbirth may result from natural complications, but in others, it may stem from medical negligence or improper prenatal care. At Phillips Law Offices in Chicago, Illinois, we understand the emotional and financial toll of losing a child due to preventable medical mistakes. Families deserve answers, accountability, and justice for their loss.
What Is a Stillbirth?
A stillbirth is the death of a fetus in the womb after the 20th week of pregnancy. It differs from a miscarriage, which occurs earlier in pregnancy. Stillbirths can happen before labor (called antepartum stillbirth) or during labor and delivery (intrapartum stillbirth).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), thousands of families in the United States experience stillbirths each year, many without warning. While sometimes the cause remains unexplained, other times, medical errors or overlooked complications play a role. Proper monitoring, timely diagnosis, and immediate medical response can often prevent such tragedies.
Families who lose a baby to stillbirth often face not just emotional anguish but also confusion about what caused the death. At Phillips Law Offices, we help families uncover the truth through detailed investigation and expert medical evaluation.
Common Causes of Fetal Death or Stillbirth
The reasons behind a stillbirth can vary, but they often include medical, environmental, and maternal health factors. Understanding these causes is essential to determine whether negligence occurred.
1. Placental Complications
The placenta supplies the baby with oxygen and nutrients. If the placenta separates from the uterus too soon (placental abruption) or fails to function properly, it can lead to oxygen deprivation and fetal death. Doctors must monitor placental health throughout pregnancy. Failure to detect placental insufficiency through ultrasound or fetal monitoring may be grounds for a malpractice claim.
2. Umbilical Cord Issues
The umbilical cord can sometimes become knotted or compressed, cutting off oxygen flow to the baby. Healthcare providers are expected to recognize distress signs, such as abnormal heart rate patterns, and take immediate action. A delay in responding to cord compression can result in preventable stillbirth.
3. Maternal Health Conditions
Chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and infections can increase the risk of stillbirth. It’s the medical team’s duty to closely monitor and manage these conditions during pregnancy. When doctors fail to treat these issues correctly, both the mother and baby are placed at risk.
4. Medical Negligence
In some cases, stillbirth results directly from medical malpractice—including failure to perform a C-section in time, misdiagnosis of fetal distress, improper use of labor-inducing drugs, or inadequate monitoring during delivery. Hospitals and physicians must uphold the highest standards of care; when they don’t, families have the right to pursue justice.
Recognizing Medical Negligence in Stillbirth Cases
Not every stillbirth is preventable, but some occur because medical professionals fail to act according to accepted medical standards. Medical negligence may include:
- Ignoring or misreading abnormal fetal heart rate patterns
- Failure to diagnose infections or gestational diabetes
- Delayed emergency interventions such as a C-section
- Inadequate prenatal testing or monitoring
- Mismanagement of preeclampsia or placental issues
When these errors happen, families can file a medical malpractice claim to seek compensation for their pain, suffering, and financial losses. At Phillips Law Offices, we meticulously investigate every case to determine if negligence contributed to the stillbirth. Our legal and medical experts work together to establish the truth.
Emotional and Financial Impact of Stillbirth
The loss of a baby brings immense emotional pain that words cannot express. Parents experience grief, depression, guilt, and anger. Beyond emotional trauma, there are financial consequences—including medical bills, funeral costs, and lost wages from time off work.
At our firm, we approach every stillbirth case with compassion and respect. We understand the sensitive nature of these claims and provide personal support throughout the legal process. Families should never feel alone during such a heartbreaking journey.
Your Legal Rights After a Stillbirth in Illinois
Illinois law allows parents to pursue a wrongful death or medical malpractice claim when a stillbirth occurs due to negligence. The law recognizes the loss of a fetus as a significant and compensable harm, especially when medical mistakes are involved.
To file a successful claim, the following elements must be proven:
- A doctor-patient relationship existed
- The healthcare provider breached their duty of care
- That breach directly caused the baby’s death
- The parents suffered measurable damages
Phillips Law Offices in Chicago has a proven record of handling birth injury and stillbirth cases. We help families recover compensation for emotional suffering, medical expenses, and loss of companionship. Our attorneys thoroughly investigate medical records, consult with expert witnesses, and build strong cases to hold negligent parties accountable.
Why Choose Phillips Law Offices for Stillbirth Cases
For more than 75 years, Phillips Law Offices has been one of the most trusted and respected personal injury and medical malpractice law firms in Chicago, Illinois. Our attorneys have won millions in verdicts and settlements for families across the state.
We are dedicated to achieving justice for those who have lost their babies due to medical negligence. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Families deserve both justice and closure, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
How Our Legal Team Can Help
At Phillips Law Offices, we provide comprehensive legal support to families facing stillbirth tragedies:
- Detailed Case Evaluation: We review all medical records and consult specialists to determine fault.
- Proving Negligence: Our team uses expert testimony to establish a breach of duty.
- Negotiation and Trial: We aggressively negotiate with hospitals and insurers for maximum compensation—and are fully prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
- Personalized Guidance: We provide compassionate communication and regular updates so families always feel supported.
Every case is handled with dedication and empathy, ensuring that parents receive justice for their unimaginable loss.
Call Phillips Law Offices Today
If you believe that medical negligence led to your baby’s stillbirth, do not hesitate to seek legal help. Time limits apply for filing claims, so it’s crucial to act quickly.
Contact Phillips Law Offices for a Free Consultation | No Fee Unless You Win. Let us fight for your family’s right to justice and accountability.
📞 Call now: (312) 598-1829
🏢 Visit us: 161 N Clark St, Suite 4925, Chicago, IL
You don’t have to face this tragedy alone—our team is here to help you uncover the truth and obtain the justice your baby deserves.
Interesting Reads:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Birth Injuries
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Chicago Birth Injury Case?