New York Personal Injury Attorneys BlogGrieving Family Seeks Answers After Young Mother Dies Following C-Section in Queens: What Legal Options Do Families Have After Maternal Death in New York?
The tragic death of 24-year-old Tenisha Evans, a first-time mother who passed away just 15 days after delivering twin boys via C-section at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, has left her family and community searching for answers—and justice. As New York birth injury lawyers, we know that stories like Tenisha’s are far too common, especially among Black and Brown women in the city.
Her family believes her death may be linked to complications from the cesarean section, yet they say the hospital has not provided any follow-up or explanation. “When she came home from the hospital, nobody reached out,” said her mother, Lynette Williams. “It’s like my other half is gone.”
Now, Tenisha’s newborn sons—Angel and Liam—are being raised by their grandmother as the family navigates unimaginable grief and the uncertainty of what legal options are available.
Legal Recourse for Families After Maternal Death
Under current New York law, wrongful death lawsuits are governed by a statute that narrowly limits the types of damages families can recover. In maternal death cases like this one, the law does not allow parents, spouses, or children to be compensated for their grief, loss of companionship, or emotional suffering. The only damages recoverable are for financial losses, such as lost income, medical expenses, and the value of the deceased’s services to dependents.
For families like Tenisha’s, this legal framework can feel deeply unjust—particularly when young children are left without a mother, and the death may have been preventable.
Can Families Sue for Medical Malpractice?
Yes. If there is evidence that a hospital or physician failed to meet the standard of care—for example, by improperly performing the C-section, failing to monitor the mother after discharge, or ignoring signs of complications—then a medical malpractice lawsuit may be possible. These cases require expert medical review, and the legal burden is high, but they are an essential path to accountability when healthcare providers fall short.
Tenisha’s family has publicly stated that no one from the hospital checked in following her discharge, despite known risks of post-operative complications. A malpractice claim could investigate whether proper discharge instructions were given, whether follow-up care was arranged, and whether warning signs were missed or ignored.
What Is the Grieving Families Act?
Advocates across New York are calling for the passage of the Grieving Families Act, legislation that would update the state’s wrongful death statute to allow families to seek compensation for emotional loss and grief. The bill has been vetoed in the past but continues to gain support from lawmakers, particularly in the wake of maternal deaths like Tenisha’s.
If passed, the Act would allow more meaningful recourse for families who are suffering—and serve as a step toward addressing the racial disparities in maternal healthcare outcomes across the state.
Supporting Families and Pushing for Reform
Maternal mortality is a public health crisis in New York, and the numbers are especially stark for women of color. Data from the New York City Health Department shows that around 20 women die each year from pregnancy-related causes—many of them preventable.
Until stronger protections are in place, grieving families must rely on experienced medical malpractice and wrongful death attorneys to investigate what went wrong and fight for justice under a system that is still too limited in recognizing the full value of a life lost.
If you lost a loved one due to complications following childbirth or suspect medical negligence played a role, contact a top-rated New York birth injury lawyer at 212-943-1090. The firm offers free consultations and works on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients don’t pay any legal fees unless the case is successful. This makes it easier for injured individuals to get strong legal representation without paying upfront. You may be entitled to pursue a claim—and we are here to help you seek answers, accountability, and justice.
