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Group B Strep Claims
Ohio & Northern Kentucky Birth Injury Attorneys for Group B Strep Negligence Claims
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common type of bacteria found in healthy adults, but it can pose a serious risk of Group B strep infection in newborns if not properly diagnosed and treated during pregnancy.
Pregnant women who carry GBS may unknowingly pass it to their babies during childbirth, leading to early-onset GBS infection, which can result in life-threatening complications. When doctors fail to test for or treat GBS appropriately, the consequences can be devastating.
At TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm, our experienced attorneys handle Group B strep claims for families impacted by medical negligence across Ohio and Northern Kentucky. If your child suffered harm due to a preventable GBS infection, contact us today at (800) 698-4054 and let us help you seek justice.
What is Group B Strep?
According to the U.S Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria that naturally exists in the gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts of many healthy individuals. While GBS bacteria typically does not cause harm in pregnant women, it can pose a life-threatening risk to newborn babies if passed to them during childbirth.
Unlike a sexually transmitted disease, GBS is not spread through sexual contact, but like an STD, it can still be transmitted from mother to baby. The risk of Group B strep infection increases when proper screening and treatment are not provided during pregnancy.
Although most babies exposed to GBS do not develop complications, some face severe health issues if an onset GBS infection occurs. Certain risk factors, such as prolonged labor, premature birth, or poor hygiene in medical settings can increase the likelihood of GBS developing in newborns.
Families affected by GBS-related birth injuries may have grounds for Group B strep claims if medical negligence played a role in their child’s infection. Let the Cincinnati and Covington medical malpractice lawyers at TLF help you recover the compensation you deserve.
How GBS Spreads from Mother to Baby
Many women carry Group B Strep without experiencing any symptoms, but the bacteria can be passed to a baby during vaginal delivery if not properly managed. Medical professionals should routinely test for Group B Streptococcus during pregnancy, typically through strep screening conducted between 36 and 38 weeks of pregnancy.
Certain risk factors increase the chances of contracting strep, including a previous pregnancy where GBS was detected, preterm labor, or a urinary tract infection caused by Group B Strep during pregnancy.
If a mother tests positive, antibiotic treatment during labor can significantly reduce the risk of transmission and help protect the baby from potential complications.
How Common Is Group B Strep in Newborns?
Group B Strep infection is common among pregnant women, affecting 1 in 4 pregnancies, but only affects babies every 0.2 cases per 1,000 live births, on average.
The risk of a GBS infection is highest in early-onset group infections, which occur within the first week of life during birth. However, late-onset group infections can develop weeks or even months after delivery, typically through exposure to someone carrying the bacteria.
While both types can cause severe complications, early-onset infections tend to result in more life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia, sepsis, or meningitis.
Proper screening and timely medical intervention are critical in preventing these devastating outcomes.
GBS Positive C-Section
For mothers carrying Group B Strep, the risk of passing the bacteria to their baby is significantly lower when delivering via C-section compared to a vaginal birth.
This does not completely eliminate the possibility of a Group B Strep infection. If a mother has tested positive for Group B Strep bacteria, the chances of transmission are reduced if the water does not break before the procedure and the baby does not pass through the birth canal.
Despite this lower risk, doctors must still take proper precautions, including administering antibiotics when necessary, to protect the baby from potential exposure.
Medical Negligence in Group B Strep Cases
When doctors fail to properly test, diagnose, or treat pregnant women for Group B Strep infection, it can lead to devastating consequences for newborn babies. Families may have grounds for medical negligence claims if a healthcare provider’s failure to follow standard protocols resulted in preventable harm.
At TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm, we help families pursue Group B Strep claims to hold negligent medical professionals accountable.
Failure to Screen for GBS During Pregnancy
Group B Strep screening is a routine part of prenatal care and is recommended for pregnant women between 36-38 weeks of pregnancy. This strep test helps identify whether a mother carries Group B Strep infection, allowing for proper precautions during delivery.
If doctors fail to conduct this screening or overlook signs of infection in a urine test, they increase the risk of early-onset GBS infection in newborns. In some cases, oral antibiotics may be prescribed during pregnancy to reduce bacterial levels, but if testing is missed or delayed, necessary antibiotic treatment may not be given in time to protect the baby.
Families impacted by such failures may have grounds for medical negligence claims against healthcare providers.
Failure to Administer Antibiotics During Labor
For women carrying GBS who have tested positive, receiving antibiotics straight into the bloodstream through an IV during labor is essential in preventing onset GBS infection in newborns. If a doctor fails to provide medical care by administering proper antibiotic treatment during labor and delivery, the baby is left vulnerable to dangerous complications.
As such, a Group B Strep negligence claim may arise when healthcare providers do not follow established medical guidelines, putting the child at unnecessary risk.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis of Neonatal GBS Infection
After birth, newborns with Group B Strep infection may show signs of ill health, but if doctors fail to diagnose these symptoms, the results can be severe. Babies who develop Group B Strep infection often experience breathing difficulties, sepsis, pneumonia, or meningitis.
In late-onset cases, symptoms may not appear until weeks later, increasing the risk of complications due to delayed treatment. If a doctor overlooks these warning signs and fails to provide timely medical intervention, families may have the right to file a failure to diagnose claim. The failure to diagnose lawyers at our law firm can guide you through this legal process and help you receive rightful compensation.
Hospital Negligence Leading to GBS Complications
When hospitals fail to properly monitor newborns for signs of early-onset GBS infection, the consequences can be life-threatening. Medical staff must be vigilant in identifying symptoms such as difficulty breathing, lethargy, or feeding issues, as delayed recognition can allow the infection to progress into severe complications like sepsis or meningitis.
Additionally, if a baby requires specialized care in the NICU, improper treatment or failure to provide life-saving interventions can further endanger their health. When hospital mistakes occur, families may have grounds for a hospital negligence claim against the hospital or healthcare providers responsible. In these cases, our Kentucky and Ohio hospital negligence lawyers at TLF can help hold negligent hospitals accountable.
Birth Injuries and Complications Caused by Group B Strep
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a bacterial infection that, if not properly managed during pregnancy or delivery, can lead to more serious infections and a range of birth injuries and complications, many of which can have long-term or life-threatening consequences.
Sepsis in Newborns
A Group B Strep infection can quickly develop into sepsis in newborn babies, a dangerous bloodstream infection that can lead to organ failure and death if not treated immediately.
Newborns with GBS-related sepsis often show symptoms such as fever, difficulty breathing, poor feeding, and lethargy. Without prompt medical intervention, the infection can spread throughout the body, overwhelming the baby’s immune system.
Even when treated, sepsis can result in long-term health effects, including developmental delays, brain injury, organ damage, and a weakened immune response, making the child more susceptible to future infections.
Pneumonia from Group B Strep
When Group B Strep spreads to a newborn’s lungs, it can cause severe pneumonia, leading to respiratory distress and oxygen deprivation. Young babies with GBS pneumonia may struggle to breathe, require intensive NICU care, or need ventilator support to survive.
If not diagnosed and treated in time, this condition can result in long-term lung damage and increase the risk of chronic breathing issues throughout the child’s life. In cases where medical professionals fail to recognize or address these dangers, families may be able to pursue a GBS claim for such negligent care.
Meningitis Caused by GBS Infection
A Group B Strep infection can also lead to meningitis, a severe inflammation of the brain and spinal cord that can cause lifelong complications. Young babies affected by GBS-related meningitis often suffer from symptoms such as irritability, high fever, poor feeding, and seizures.
If left untreated, the infection can result in neurological complications, including cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and lifelong cognitive impairments.
Group B Strep Baby Death
In the most tragic cases, an untreated or poorly managed Group B Strep infection can lead to a baby’s death. When GBS infections become fatal, it is often due to delayed diagnosis, failure to administer proper antibiotics, or inadequate hospital care.
Families who experience such a heartbreaking loss may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim against the medical providers responsible. Seeking justice with the help of our wrongful death lawyers in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky can help hold negligent healthcare professionals accountable while providing financial support for the grieving family.
Who is Liable in a Group B Strep Medical Malpractice Claim?
In a Group B Strep medical malpractice claim, liability may fall on healthcare providers who failed to properly test, diagnose, or treat the infection. This includes:
- Obstetricians and Prenatal Care Providers: During the initial discussion of prenatal care, doctors must screen for GBS infection to prevent complications in newborns. When obstetricians fail to conduct routine testing or provide necessary treatment, the risk of early-onset Group B Strep infection increases significantly. Negligence at this stage can lead to devastating health consequences for the baby.
- Labor and Delivery Medical Staff: Proper care during labor and delivery is critical in preventing Group B Strep infection in newborns. If medical staff fail to administer antibiotics to a GBS-positive mother or do not monitor the baby’s condition post-delivery, serious health risks arise. While most babies do not develop complications, those exposed to untreated GBS are at high risk of severe infections and you can file a labor and delivery malpractice claim.
- Neonatal and Pediatric Specialists: Once a baby is born, Group B Streptococcus infections must be diagnosed and treated immediately. If neonatal specialists overlook symptoms or delay treatment, the infection can progress rapidly, leading to long-term complications or life-threatening conditions.
- Hospitals and Medical Facilities: Hospitals have a responsibility to follow strict infection prevention protocols to reduce the risk of Group B Strep infection in newborns. Negligence in monitoring babies after birth or poor NICU management can lead to preventable complications.
How Much Compensation Can You Get in a Group B Strep Lawsuit?
Like with all birth injury claims, the amount of compensation in a Group B Streptococcus lawsuit depends on several factors, including the severity of the birth injury, the cost of medical treatment, and the long-term impact on the child’s health.
Families may recover damages for medical expenses, ongoing care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In cases of severe complications like cerebral palsy or permanent disabilities, the financial settlement or court award should be substantial enough to ensure lifelong support for the child.
How to File a Group B Strep Negligence Lawsuit
Filing a Group B Strep negligence lawsuit starts with obtaining medical records and documentation of the child’s condition. If a mother was not properly tested during weeks of pregnancy, or if a newborn developed late-onset Group B Strep due to negligent care, these details must be carefully recorded.
The statute of limitations for both Ohio and Kentucky are generally one year from the date of injury (with some exceptions), making it essential to act quickly. Consulting a Cincinnati or Covington birth injury attorney at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm ensures families understand their rights, receive a thorough case evaluation, and a dedicated legal representation from the onset of their case to the final resolution.
Why Choose TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm for Your Group B Strep Claim?
At TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm, we have a proven track record of handling medical malpractice cases in Ohio and Kentucky, including those involving Group B Strep negligence.
Our team has extensive experience in hospital negligence and birth injury litigation, ensuring that negligent doctors and hospitals are held accountable for failing to provide proper care during the weeks of pregnancy and childbirth.
We understand that every case is unique, which is why we take a personalized legal approach with each client, offering one-on-one client attention to build the strongest case possible. We also understand the financial burden these injuries place on families, so we work on a contingency basis, meaning families pursuing a successful claim never pay upfront legal costs.
Contact Our Kentucky and Ohio Group B Strep Negligence Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If your child suffered harm due to medical negligence related to Group B Strep, you may have the right to pursue Group B Strep claims against the responsible healthcare providers.
At TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm, we are committed to helping families in Kentucky and Ohio seek justice and compensation for their child’s injuries. Our experienced attorneys offer confidential advice and a free case review to evaluate your legal options.
Don’t wait to take action—contact us online or by phone today at (800) 698-4054 to discuss your case and learn how we can help you hold negligent medical professionals accountable.
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