From The Texas Tribune · Terri Langford · · 2m
Family sues Texas over pregnant woman's death from preeclampsia
Tierra Walker's family claims the state's abortion ban prevented doctors from saving her life when she was 20 weeks pregnant.
In brief
Tierra Walker's family claims the state's abortion ban prevented doctors from saving her life when she was 20 weeks pregnant. Texas' abortion ban may be creating a culture of fear among doctors that prevents them from providing lifesaving care to pregnant patients. Originally reported by The Texas Tribune.
Pregnant woman dies, family sues
Tierra Walker, 37, died at 20 weeks pregnant from preeclampsia. Her family is suing Texas officials and doctors, claiming the state's abortion ban led to her death.
“Tierra Walker is dead and those responsible must be held accountable”
Four months of medical crisis
Walker suffered seizures, blood clots, and repeated hypertensive crises during her pregnancy. She asked for an abortion but was told "your baby is fine."
90 doctors consulted before death
As many as 90 medical professionals were consulted on Walker's case before she died in December 2024. The lawsuit targets Ken Paxton and the Texas Medical Board.
How Texas' abortion law works
Texas' trigger law allows abortions only in narrow cases to save the pregnant patient's life. It protects pregnant people from prosecution but has made doctors hesitant to act.
Barriers to suing in Texas
The Texas Supreme Court says patients denied abortion care should sue doctors for malpractice. But state law makes public hospitals subject to liability only in rare cases.
New law wouldn't have helped
Senate Bill 31 passed after Walker's death to clarify when doctors can intervene. Her lawyers say it wouldn't have prevented her death.
“I would love if the Texas Legislature would actually take their responsibility here seriously and get rid of the laws that are causing so many deaths”
Culture of fear among doctors
Doctors explain to patients why they can't offer abortions, but these conversations are never documented in medical records. Lawyers say this shows a pervasive culture of fear.
“I think that alone shows that it's almost become a 'Do not put anything in writing,' such a pervasive culture of fear”
Maternal mortality report delayed
Texas delayed its maternal mortality report until December, after midterm elections. The report will exclude 2022 and 2023 deaths, the first years under the abortion ban.
Black women face higher risk
Black women in Texas experience more than 2.5 times the rate of pregnancy-related death than white or Hispanic women. Walker was part of this high-risk demographic.
Family seeks justice and change
Walker's aunt says the lawsuit aims to get justice for her niece, who kept the family together. "I wouldn't want this to happen to anybody else."
“I wouldn't want this to happen to anybody else”
The key point
Texas' abortion ban may be creating a culture of fear among doctors that prevents them from providing lifesaving care to pregnant patients.
