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Premature Birth

Cleveland Premature Birth Injury Lawyers

PREMATURE BIRTH STATISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES

One in every 8 babies (12.5%) in the United States is born prematurely. Prematurity, usually considered the same thing as preterm, is defined as more than three weeks before term.

Any baby born before 37 weeks is considered premature; however, some health care providers stress that the premature label should be used more sparingly and that a baby born at 36 weeks, for example, might not be premature if her lungs and other organs are fully developed.

Here are a few important premature birth statistics:

  • There are over 500,000 premature births every year in the United States.
  • Over the past 36 years, the premature birth rate has increased 36% (though, this is partially due to advances in medical technology which allow for emergency preterm delivery when other serious complications are present).

If your child suffered complications, birth injuries, or wrongful death as a result of premature birth, you may be able to file a birth injury claim. Contact the Ohio premature birth injury attorneys at The Becker Law Firm to find out how we can help you.

Call (440) 252-4399 or fill out and submit an online contact form to schedule your free, no-risk consultation with our preterm birth injury lawyers.

Risk Factors for Premature Delivery

Premature delivery has many known risk factors, including:

  • Multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.)
  • Previous preterm births
  • African-American mother
  • Chronic health problems, including diabetes, hypertension, and blood clotting disorders
  • Smoking, alcohol, and other drug use
  • Obesity or underweight mother
  • Some uterine infections
  • Incompetent/ineffectual cervix

Birth Injuries Caused by Prematurity

Babies who are premature are at a higher risk of numerous complications:

Preventing Premature Labor

Women should monitor their own condition throughout pregnancy and should alert their doctors at the first possible signs of labor. Doctors and their staff should have the training necessary to recognize potential preterm labor and must follow standard guidelines to prevent premature birth, when possible.

Signs and symptoms that could point to a premature birth include:

  • uterine contractions;
  • flu-like symptoms;
  • baby does not move or kick as frequently;
  • abdominal cramping that feels like a menstrual period;
  • severe vaginal or pelvic pressure; and
  • bleeding or secretion from the vagina.

In order to prevent preterm labor from causing premature delivery, careful doctors may need to provide medication to stop contractions, to speed up the baby’s lung development, and to prevent infection (because a premature baby’s immune system may not be fully developed).

Doctors typically impose requirements of bed rest, pelvic rest, and increased fluids, though modern studies are debating whether those actions are effective at preventing preterm labor. Finally, doctors may surgically close the cervix to prevent early delivery (cervical cerclage).

Turn to The Becker Law Firm for Help

While the hospital is the right place to be in this type of situation, if you believe your doctor or another medical professional was negligent in handling your premature birth, you might have grounds to file a medical claim if your child suffered a serious injury as a result.

Through medical records and lab results, depositions of nurses and doctors, and consultation with obstetric medicine specialists, The Becker Law Firm can evaluate your possible claim of negligence on behalf of a medical professional during the labor and delivery process.

Contact our preterm birth injury attorneys in Ohio via our online contact form or call (440) 252-4399 to schedule a free initial consultation.

  • $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
  • NBTA
  • AV Preeminent
  • International Society of Barristers
  • American Association for Justice
  • CATA

    Contact Us for a Free Consultation

    If your baby was born premature, contact our Ohio premature birth injury attorneys for a free consultation. Our lawyers have investigated hundreds of birth injury cases involving premature delivery, and we have the medical expertise to evaluate your labor and delivery medical records—at no cost to you. We fight for full justice.

    Discuss your case with the attorneys at The Becker Law Firm; call (440) 252-4399 or email the firm today.

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