Mississippi is facing a heartbreaking reality. In the past year, the infant mortality rate surged to the highest in the nation, marking a public health crisis that extends far beyond statistics. Behind every number is a family mourning the loss of a newborn, a mother left searching for answers, and a community grappling with the weight of a system that too often fails to protect those most in need.
At Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner & Davey, P.A., we recognize the urgency of this public health emergency. Our attorneys are deeply committed to standing beside families affected by birth injuries and preventable medical harm, ensuring that no parent’s grief is ignored and no medical failure goes unexamined.
Understanding the Rising Infant Mortality Crisis in Mississippi
In 2024, Mississippi recorded an infant mortality rate of 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, the highest it has been in over a decade and nearly double the national average of 5.6.
Since 2014, 3,527 infants have died before reaching their first birthday. These statistics reveal deep-rooted failures in maternal care and a lack of accessible postpartum support. This crisis is a call to action for families, communities, and healthcare professionals to push for improved maternity and infant health programs across the state.
What Families Are Going Through
The Mississippi State Department of Health has declared a public health emergency, acknowledging the urgent need to address this issue. Factors contributing to the rise in infant mortality include limited access to prenatal and postnatal care, especially in rural areas known as "OB deserts," where expectant mothers often face long distances to reach healthcare facilities. These mothers are left to navigate a healthcare system that is often difficult to access and even more difficult to trust.
Why This Crisis Is Happening
- Limited Access to Care: Many mothers must travel long distances to reach prenatal care, postnatal follow-ups, and pediatric services, creating critical gaps during the most vulnerable periods.
- Insufficient Postpartum Support: New mothers often lack access to postpartum care, mental health support, lactation services, and guidance on newborn health, leaving families without essential resources.
- Healthcare Disparities: Black families face disproportionately high rates of infant loss due to systemic inequities in healthcare access, quality, and culturally competent care.
- Policy and Data Gaps: Weak tracking of maternal and infant outcomes and insufficient public health initiatives leave states underprepared to prevent avoidable tragedies.
- Economic Barriers: Financial hardships, limited Medicaid coverage, and the high cost of medical care restrict access to necessary maternal, neonatal, and pediatric care, compounding the risk for vulnerable families.
Legal Options for Families Facing Infant Loss
When a family experiences a serious birth injury or the loss of a newborn, the impact reaches far beyond the hospital walls. Along with grief, families often face mounting medical bills, long-term care needs, and questions about how these events could have been prevented. Understanding your legal options allows you to feel empowered to reach for justice and accountability.
Medical Malpractice and Birth Injury Claims
When a mother or newborn is harmed due to medical negligence, Mississippi law allows families to hold the responsible parties accountable. Medical malpractice and birth injury claims can arise from:
- Errors during labor and delivery
- Delayed diagnoses
- Improper fetal monitoring
- Failure to provide timely emergency care.
Taking legal action helps families recover compensation for medical expenses, long-term care, and emotional distress, while also drawing attention to systemic issues that compromise maternal and infant safety statewide.
In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is generally two years from the date the injury occurred or was discovered. Because these deadlines are strict, it is crucial for families to consult an experienced medical malpractice attorney with experience in birth injuries claims.
Wrongful Death Claims
When medical negligence results in the death of a newborn, families are left searching for answers and wondering if the loss could have been prevented. A wrongful death claim allows parents to seek justice by holding negligent medical professionals or institutions accountable. These cases can address both the emotional suffering and the financial strain that follow such an unimaginable tragedy.
In Mississippi, wrongful death claims stemming from medical malpractice must generally be filed within two years of the date of death or the discovery of negligence. Because each case is different and exceptions may apply, it is vital to speak with a qualified wrongful death attorney to protect your right to pursue a claim.
Product Liability and Defective Medical Devices
Childbirth should be a moment of hope and connection, not fear or tragedy. Yet when a defective medical device or unsafe medication causes injury to a mother or newborn, the consequences can be devastating. These failures often stem from:
- Poor design
- Inadequate testing
- Manufacturer’s failure to warn doctors and patients about known risks
Families have the right to seek accountability when preventable harm occurs, both to recover compensation and to help prevent future tragedies.
In Mississippi, product liability lawsuits generally must be filed within three years of the injury or death, though certain circumstances, such as delayed discovery of the defect, may affect that timeline. Because these cases often involve complex medical and technical evidence, consulting a product liability attorney with experience in defective medical device claims is imperative.
How Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner & Davey, P.A. Supports Families
While Mississippi faces a growing crisis in infant mortality, families across the nation are grappling with traumatic births and a lack of healthcare for mothers and their newborns. At Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner & Davey, P.A., our birth injury attorneys are dedicated to standing with mothers and their families as they start to find justice and peace. Our goal is to give families the confidence to speak their truth while we use our experience, resources, and legal power to protect their rights and pursue justice.
Compassionate Support for Families Facing Tragedy
Contact Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner & Davey, P.A. today for a free consultation. We work closely with families to investigate every aspect of a birth injury or wrongful death, holding negligent healthcare providers and manufacturers accountable for preventable harm.
From seeking compensation for medical care, ongoing treatment, and emotional support to navigating the complex legal system, we are here to guide you through each step with care and compassion. Your voice matters, and our team is committed to amplifying it while ensuring your family receives the protection and advocacy you deserve.
