A Brooklyn family is seeking justice and advocating for policy change following the death of Christine Fields, a 30-year-old mother who died after giving birth via a C-section at Woodhull Hospital. Fields passed away on November 13 last year, leaving behind a newborn and two other young children. As reported by ABC7NY, her family has filed a notice of claim against the hospital and the NYC Health and Hospital system for $41 million in damages, on the grounds of "careless and negligent" medical treatment.
The family's grievance is underscored by reports that Fields didn't initially want the Cesarean but doctors, spurred by her son's distress signals, quickly moved to perform the operation. Following the procedure, Fields suffered from hemorrhaging, a "therapeutic complication" as ruled by the Medical Examiner. The family's attorney, Sanford Rubenstein, emphasized the larger issue facing women of color in NYC, stating that "This should not be happening in this city," an observation noted by ABC7NY. Rubenstein's remarks reflect persistent racial disparities in healthcare, particularly in maternal mortality rates.
In their pursuit of some semblance of justice, loved ones have also aimed to support legislative changes. Fields' fiancé, Jose Perez, seeks to advocate for the Grieving Families Act, which has been vetoed twice by Governor Kathy Hochul. The act looks to allow families to sue for emotional suffering in addition to financial loss. He has been vocal about the hardship inflicted by the loss of his partner, saying, "A lot of grief. A lot of anguish. It’s been a rough time.." This sentiment was echoed in a statement acquired by PIX11.
In response to the incident and the investigation into Fields' death, the hospital has reportedly made enhancements to its obstetrics and anesthesiology protocols. A spokesperson from Woodhull stated, "The hospital is also strengthening the role of nurses in the management of maternal health patients." While Woodhull Hospital remains reticent about Christine Fields' case due to medical privacy laws, it has reaffirmed its commitment to innovating interventions to address healthcare disparities, as detailed to ABC7NY.
Meanwhile, the family continues to honor the memory of Fields, a recent college graduate with a degree in criminal justice, through weekly protests and vigils. Denene Witherspoon, Christine's mother, reflecting the heartache of their loss, was quoted by PIX11 as saying, “Sad, depressing — everything. I got a hole in my heart that’ll never be filled. My life will never be the same again. I miss my daughter so much.” The family remains steadfastly committed to ensuring that the circumstances surrounding Fields' death pave the way for systemic changes within the maternity healthcare system.
