By Harden Crichton, P.C. | Philadelphia Birth Injury And Medical Malpractice Lawyers
When a mother dies during pregnancy, childbirth, or the months that follow, her family is left with a question that rarely gets a clear answer: could this have been prevented? Harden Crichton’s maternal mortality study, Which States Are the Most Dangerous to Give Birth In?, set out to put real numbers behind that question. This month, Arkansas news outlet 5NEWS featured the findings in an article and video report focused on Arkansas's ranking as the fourth most dangerous state in the country to give birth.
The coverage matters well beyond Arkansas. It shows that maternal deaths follow patterns tied to access, quality of care, and whether warning signs are caught in time. If your family has lost a loved one or suffered a serious childbirth injury in Pennsylvania, you deserve honest answers. Call Harden Crichton, P.C. at 215-798-7341or use the online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation.
Maternal Mortality Study Coverage: What Did 5NEWS Report About Arkansas?
The 5NEWS report drew on CDC data from 2018 through 2022, which found that Arkansas recorded 38.3 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. That rate placed the state fourth worst among the 39 states with enough reported data to rank. For expecting mothers in Arkansas, the numbers reflect a daily reality of limited options.
According to the report, only 22 of Arkansas's 75 counties have hospitals that offer labor and delivery services, and just 30 hospitals statewide provide that care. For many families, that means long drives to deliver a baby and fewer places to turn for postpartum support.
Kyndall Rogers, senior advisor for Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health, told 5NEWS that roughly 94 percent of these deaths are preventable. She described the problem as a perfect storm rather than a single cause. As she put it, "It's not just during delivery or during prenatal care. It's also that full year afterwards, too, that we need to broaden our network for support for those moms."
A professor of obstetrics and gynecology interviewed for the segment pointed to underlying health issues and chronic disease as major risk factors. He stressed the value of good care before pregnancy, throughout prenatal visits, and into the postpartum period. Both voices also noted real progress in Arkansas, including greater public awareness and the passage of the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act.
Most Dangerous States To Give Birth: What Did Harden Crichton’s Research Find?
Harden Crichton’s study analyzed CDC National Center for Health Statistics data covering the five years from 2018 through 2022. The research ranked the 39 states with statistically reliable figures. States with fewer than 20 maternal deaths during that period were excluded, and 11 states plus Washington, D.C. had suppressed data.
The national average came in at 23.2 deaths per 100,000 live births. The five states with the highest rates were:
- Tennessee: 41.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, or 166 women over five years
- Mississippi: 39.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, or 70 women over five years
- Alabama: 38.6 deaths per 100,000 live births, or 112 women over five years
- Arkansas: 38.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, or 69 women over five years
- Louisiana: 37.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, or 108 women over five years
Arkansas's rate sits about 65 percent above the national average. On the other end of the scale, California recorded the lowest rate at 10.5 deaths per 100,000 live births. That gap shows how much the place a woman gives birth can shape her risk.
The study also highlighted a stark racial disparity. Nationally, Black women die from pregnancy-related causes at 3.2 times the rate of white women. That disparity appears across regions, including in states with below-average overall rankings.
Maternal Deaths In Pennsylvania: Why Does A Below-Average Ranking Still Matter For Philadelphia Families?
Pennsylvania ranked 31st in the study, with a rate of 17.5 deaths per 100,000 live births. That is about 25 percent below the national average. Still, 116 Pennsylvania women died from maternal causes over the five-year period, and each of those deaths left a family behind.
The more troubling number comes from Pennsylvania's own Maternal Mortality Review Committee. In its 2025 annual report, the committee found that 41 of the 42 pregnancy-related deaths it reviewed, or 98 percent, were preventable. A lower ranking does not mean the care was good enough. It means fewer families were harmed, and nearly all of that harm could have been avoided.
Just across the Delaware River, New Jersey ranked 16th with a rate of 26.0 deaths per 100,000 live births, about 12 percent above the national average. Families who live in South Jersey and deliver at Philadelphia hospitals, or the reverse, move through two very different sets of numbers.
Preventable Pregnancy-Related Deaths: When Does A Tragedy Become Medical Malpractice?
Not every maternal death is the result of negligence. Some complications arise quickly and cannot be stopped even with excellent care. However, when a health care provider misses clear warning signs or fails to respond the way a reasonably careful provider would, the law may hold that provider accountable.
Harden Crichton’s research points to patterns that often appear in obstetric malpractice claims. About 70 percent of intrapartum malpractice claims are linked to failures in fetal heart rate monitoring. Common problems in maternal and birth injury cases include:
- Missed preeclampsia signs: Providers fail to act on rising blood pressure or abnormal lab results
- Delayed hemorrhage response: Staff do not recognize or treat heavy bleeding quickly enough
- Untreated infection: Care teams overlook fever or sepsis symptoms after delivery
- Poor fetal monitoring: Nurses or doctors misread or ignore concerning heart rate patterns
- Unsafe discharge: Hospitals send patients home without clear follow-up for known risks
These failures can happen at any point, from the first prenatal visit through the full year after birth. A careful review of the medical records is usually the only way to know whether a loss was preventable.
Next Steps After A Maternal Death Or Childbirth Injury: What Should Your Family Do First?
In the weeks after a devastating loss, legal questions can feel impossible to face. Taking a few simple steps now can protect your family's options later without adding more stress.
- Request medical records: Ask the hospital and every provider for complete prenatal, delivery, and postpartum records
- Write a timeline: Note symptoms, calls, visits, and what providers told you, while memories are fresh
- Keep all paperwork: Save discharge instructions, bills, prescriptions, and any written communication
- Avoid signing releases: Do not sign documents from an insurer or hospital before getting legal advice
- Talk to a lawyer early: An attorney can explain deadlines and arrange an independent medical review
You do not have to figure out what went wrong on your own. A law firm that handles birth injury and medical malpractice cases can work with qualified medical reviewers to evaluate the care your loved one received.
Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Law: How Do Maternal Death And Birth Injury Claims Work?
In Pennsylvania, a medical malpractice claim generally requires showing three things. The provider fell below the accepted standard of care, that failure caused the injury or death, and the family suffered real losses as a result. These cases depend heavily on medical records and testimony from qualified physicians.
Pennsylvania also requires a certificate of merit early in a malpractice lawsuit. This is a statement confirming that a licensed medical professional has reviewed the case and believes the care fell below accepted standards. It is one reason these claims need careful preparation from the start.
When a mother dies, Pennsylvania law allows claims for both wrongful death and survival. A wrongful death claim addresses the losses suffered by surviving family members, such as lost financial support and the loss of guidance and companionship. A survival claim addresses what the mother herself endured and the earnings she would have had.
Timing matters. Most Pennsylvania medical malpractice and wrongful death claims must be filed within two years, though the exact deadline depends on the facts. Different timelines can apply when an infant is injured at birth. Every case is different, and no attorney can promise a particular result, but acting early gives your family the most options.
Philadelphia Maternal Health Care: Why Do Local Access And Hospital Accountability Matter?
The 5NEWS report described Arkansas mothers driving long distances to find a hospital that delivers babies. Families in the Philadelphia region may assume that problem stays far away. Yet Delaware County has seen labor and delivery units close in recent years, pushing more expectant mothers toward crowded hospitals in Center City and neighboring counties.
When maternity units close, the remaining hospitals absorb more patients, and staffing pressures can grow. Families traveling from Chester County, Bucks County, or Montgomery County may face longer waits for care when minutes count. Access problems do not excuse substandard care, but they help explain why accountability matters.
Harden Crichton, P.C. is a home-grown Philadelphia firm that represents families harmed by preventable medical errors. The firm's attorneys prepare every case as if it will go to trial, because that preparation is often what brings full answers and fair results to grieving families.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maternal Mortality And Medical Malpractice In Pennsylvania
What did Harden Crichton’s maternal mortality study find?
The study ranked 39 states using CDC data from 2018 through 2022. Tennessee had the highest rate, Arkansas ranked fourth, and Pennsylvania ranked 31st with 17.5 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Are most maternal deaths in Pennsylvania preventable?
Pennsylvania's Maternal Mortality Review Committee found that 98 percent of the pregnancy-related deaths it reviewed were preventable. That does not mean every case involves malpractice, but it does mean many families deserve a closer look at the care provided.
Can a family file a wrongful death claim after a mother dies from childbirth complications in Philadelphia?
Yes. If negligent medical care caused or contributed to the death, Pennsylvania law may allow wrongful death and survival claims. A Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer can review the records and explain your options.
How long do I have to file a birth injury or maternal injury claim in Pennsylvania?
Most medical malpractice claims in Pennsylvania must be filed within two years, though the deadline can vary. Claims involving injured infants may follow different rules, so it helps to speak with an attorney soon.
Talk To A Philadelphia Birth Injury Lawyer About Your Family's Questions
The 5NEWS coverage of Harden Crichton's research put a spotlight on a crisis that touches families in every state, including Pennsylvania. Behind every statistic is a mother, a child, and a family trying to understand what happened. When a loss may have been preventable, those families deserve a team that will dig into the records and push for accountability.
Harden Crichton, P.C. represents families across Philadelphia and the surrounding counties in birth injury, maternal injury, and medical malpractice cases. To talk about your situation, call Harden Crichton, P.C. at 215-798-7341or reach out through the online contact form. Your consultation is confidential, and there are no upfront costs.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.