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Infection

Infection Birth Injury Lawyers In Cleveland

HOW INFECTIONS CAN LEAD TO BIRTH INJURIES

Pregnant women and their unborn children are particularly susceptible to infection during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Many infections can be passed on to the unborn baby and can cause serious, lifelong medical problems if not properly treated. Timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious harm. However, when doctors fail to recognize symptoms and begin antibiotics, the results can be devastating.

If you suspect that your physician missed an early opportunity to treat Group B Strep or another infection, you may have a lawsuit if the medical negligence caused serious or permanent injury to your baby. Contact our law firm today for a free case evaluation.

The Becker Law Firm is a successful birth injury practice with an impressive record of verdicts and settlements in birth injury claims, including those involving undiagnosed and or improperly treated infections. From offices in Cleveland and Elyria, we represent clients in Columbus and throughout Ohio, as well as in Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Discuss your case with one of our infection birth injury lawyers in Ohio; call (440) 252-4399.

Common Types of Infections During Labor and Delivery

  • Group B Streptococcus: Group B Strep is a type of bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections, endomyometritis, premature delivery, premature rupture of membranes (ROM), and chorioamnionitis. It is also related to neonatal sepsis, which can affect between two and three out of every 1,000 babies. It is the leading cause of infection in newborn babies. Depending on the age of the baby, the mortality rate is between five and 50%. It can also cause mental retardation, blindness, hearing problems, seizures, and developmental delays. A simple test can diagnose Group B Strep, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that these tests be done between 35 and 37 weeks. When diagnosed, the baby can be expertly monitored and antibiotics can prevent injury. Read on to learn more.
  • Chorioamnionitis: Chorioamnionitis is an infection specific to pregnancy. It affects the membranes and the amniotic fluid around the baby and sometimes causes preterm rupture of membranes (PROM). It can also lead to neonatal sepsis, which is frequently fatal for babies. Doctors should look for chorioamnionitis when the mother shows signs of fever, elevated white blood count, uterine tenderness, and when the baby’s heart rate is extremely fast. Diagnosis is best accomplished with amniocentesis. Treatment often depends on how close the baby is to full term—if the baby is viable, a cesarean section should be considered. If not, treatment may include intravenous antibiotics.
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV): An infection in the mother, it can transfer to the unborn baby approximately 1% of the time. Those babies who are born with symptoms of CMV can show jaundice, liver issues (hepatomegaly), issues with the spleen (splenomegaly) and other problems. Whether symptomatic or not, this infection can cause mental retardation, sensorineural hearing loss, neuromuscular disorders or even death. There is no known treatment.

Other fairly common pregnancy infections can include:

  • Toxoplasmosis
  • Listeria
  • Herpes Simplex
  • Hepatitis B
  • HIV
  • Yeast infections
  • Urinary tract infections

Group B Strep

Group B streptococcus is a dangerous bacteria that can be transmitted to the fetus by a pregnant woman who is infected. If untreated or treated too late, it can cause life-threatening illness in the fetus or newborn, including meningitis, encephalitis, pneumonia, sepsis (blood-borne infection) and septic shock.

Group B strep (GBS) is usually seen late in the third trimester of pregnancy. A routine screening between the 35th and 37th weeks should discover the presence of GBS. If antibiotics are administered during labor, the threat is neutralized.

  • $13.5 Million Birth Injury

    Becker Law Firm attorneys Michael Becker and David Skall obtained a jury verdict for $13.5 million in Akron, Ohio. The case involved a now 16- year-old boy who suffered a brain injury at the time of birth (specifically a watershed injury). The doctor held liable for causing the boy’s injury is Laura Fortner, M.D., previously of Atrium OB/GYN, Inc.

    • David W. Skall
    • Michael F. Becker
  • $4.5 Million Birth Injury

    Failure to Carefully Ligate Umbilical Cord, Resulting In Severing Child’s Great Toe, Major Fluctuation In Child’s Blood Pressure And Subsequent Brain Damage (Cerebral Palsy & Developmental Delays)

    • Michael F. Becker
  • $4.25 Million Birth Injury

    Failure of Obsterical Caregivers to Recognize Maternal Hemorrhage Resulting in Brain Damage

    • Michael F. Becker
  • $4 Million Birth Injury

    Failure to provide intra-partum and immediate post-partum antibiotics.

  • $3.14 Million Birth Injury

    Failure to perform timely cesarean section which resulted in severe birth asphyxia.

    "Thank you for being our champions."

    Your unwavering dedication and expert guidance have truly been a lifesaver. Your sharp legal mind and compassionate heart have made all the difference. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being there for us every step of the way. We are forever grateful Words cannot express our gratitude for everything you have done for us. Your outstanding professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to justice have been nothing short of remarkable. You have given us back our confidence and hope during a difficult time. Thank you for being our champions. Thank you so much.

    - The C. Family
    "Michael Becker helped us secure our daughter’s future needs. We will always be grateful for the impact he has had on our family."
    We were greeted with professionalism, expertise, compassion, respect, and a desire to provide the best quality of life for our daughter. She was always the top priority. Mr. Becker represented our daughter and family as if it was his own. His staff was equ
    - Kris Harmon, mother of Perri
    "Mike represented us as if he was fighting for his own family member. I knew that my son was getting the best representation in Northeast Ohio."
    It was an honor having such an experienced lawyer handle my son's cerebral palsy case. He represented us as if he was fighting for his own family member. Everyone at the firm made us feel comfortable about our case. I knew that my son was getting the best representation in Northeast Ohio. The Becker Law Firm is dedicated to bringing justice to their clients. I've already referred families that I know!
    - Knyesha Washington
    "David worked our case with professionalism and patience in an amazing way that ultimately led to a positive outcome."
    Right from the very beginning of our case, David Skall and his assistant Jean Witt were both extremely kind and compassionate to help us put closure on a wrongful death case involving my father at a care facility. They were quick to answer any questions that we had and they made sure we were kept in the loop of this entire process. even though we were in the middle of a pandemic, David and his team were able to adapt their technology and make it all work out for our benefit. I would strongly recommend them to anyone in need of legal help.
    - John Z.
  • The Inner Circle of Advocates
  • Best Law Firms
  • NBTA - Top 100 Trial Lawyers
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  • AV Preeminent
  • International Society of Barristers
  • American Association for Justice
  • CATA

    Why Contact a Birth Injury Attorney?

    The Becker Law Firm has held obstetricians, family physicians, and hospital labs accountable for failure to screen, recognize, and/or treat for GBS infection and other infections in late pregnancy.

    We have also held these parties responsible for failure to recognize and treat the complications of Group B strep such as:

    During your free initial consultation, our Ohio birth injury attorneys and medically trained staff can help determine if you have a malpractice claim relating to pregnancy infection.

    Contact us today at (440) 252-4399. We fight for full justice.

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