If you're considering a chorioamnionitis lawsuit in Maryland, you might feel overwhelmed, uncertain, and even frustrated by what this diagnosis has meant for you and your family. Perhaps your baby has suffered complications, or you're facing medical expenses you hadn't anticipated.
Not acting promptly could jeopardize your ability to seek justice and compensation, as Maryland law imposes a strict statute of limitations of three years for medical malpractice claims. Minors have up until the 21st birthday to bring a lawsuit.
Comprehending your legal options and taking action within this time frame is vital. Missing the deadline could mean losing the opportunity to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable and secure the resources needed for your child's care.
If you or a loved one has experienced complications from chorioamnionitis during childbirth in Maryland, contact our experienced Maryland birth injury attorney today for a free consultation to discuss your case and fight for your rights.
Can you sue for chorioamnionitis?
Yes, you can sue for chorioamnionitis if the condition was caused or worsened by medical negligence. This may include failure to diagnose the infection, delayed treatment, or inadequate monitoring of the mother and baby during pregnancy or delivery, leading to preventable complications.
To file a successful claim, you must demonstrate:
- Medical negligence: The healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care, such as neglecting signs of infection or delaying necessary treatment.
- Causation: The negligence directly caused or exacerbated the harm to you or your baby, such as preterm birth, brain damage, or sepsis.
- Measurable harm: You or your child experienced physical, emotional, or financial damages due to the healthcare provider's actions or inaction.
Our chorioamnionitis birth injury lawyers will help recover compensation for medical bills, ongoing care, and emotional suffering.
How medical malpractice occurs from chorioamnionitis
Medical malpractice involving chorioamnionitis often occurs when healthcare providers fail to recognize, diagnose, or treat the condition in a timely manner. Chorioamnionitis, an infection of the amniotic sac and its surrounding membranes, can lead to severe complications for both the mother and baby if left untreated. Below are some common scenarios where negligence may arise:
Failure to diagnose or monitor
Doctors may underestimate the seriousness of chorioamnionitis because it often presents with symptoms that seem mild or non-urgent, such as fever or uterine tenderness. This false sense of security can lead to:
- Ignoring or delaying diagnostic tests like blood cultures or amniotic fluid analysis.
- Overlooking symptoms in high-risk patients, such as prolonged labor or ruptured membranes, where the risk of infection is heightened.
Delaying treatment
Timely treatment with antibiotics is critical in managing chorioamnionitis. Negligence may occur when:
- Medical professionals delay initiating antibiotics despite clear signs of infection.
- Physicians fail to escalate care, such as inducing labor or performing a cesarean section when the infection poses risks to the baby or mother.
Inadequate monitoring during labor
Healthcare providers are expected to closely monitor both the mother and baby for signs of distress during labor. Malpractice can result from:
- Failing to monitor fetal heart rate, which can signal the baby is under stress due to infection.
- Ignoring maternal symptoms like fever or elevated white blood cell counts, indicating the infection is progressing.
Mismanagement of delivery or postpartum care
In some cases, malpractice occurs during delivery or postpartum care, such as:
- Not taking appropriate precautions to prevent complications like neonatal sepsis or brain injury.
- Failing to educate the mother on warning signs of postpartum infections.
When medical negligence allows chorioamnionitis to go untreated or inadequately managed, the consequences can be devastating, including preterm birth, brain injuries, or even death. If you suspect that any of these scenarios occurred in your care, we will help you determine whether medical malpractice played a role in your case.
How to know if you have grounds for a claim
Determining if you have grounds for a birth injury lawsuit related to chorioamnionitis requires recognizing the key elements of a medical malpractice case. To pursue a lawsuit, you must demonstrate the following:
1. Existence of a doctor-patient relationship
You must show that the healthcare provider had a duty of care to you and your baby. This is typically established if the provider was involved in your pregnancy, labor, or delivery care.
2. Breach of the standard of care
Medical professionals are expected to follow established standards in diagnosing and treating conditions like chorioamnionitis. Examples of breaches include:
- Failing to diagnose or treat the infection in a timely manner.
- Ignoring or misinterpreting symptoms such as maternal fever, elevated heart rate, or fetal distress.
- Delaying necessary interventions like antibiotics, induction of labor, or cesarean delivery.
3. Causation
You must prove that the provider's negligence directly caused or worsened harm to you or your baby. For example:
- The delay in treating chorioamnionitis resulted in preterm birth, neonatal brain injury, or sepsis.
- Mismanagement of the infection led to long-term complications like cerebral palsy or organ damage.
4. Measurable damages
Your claim must include quantifiable harm, such as:
- Medical expenses for treatment of the baby's or mother's complications.
- Costs for ongoing care, therapy, or specialized equipment.
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress or loss of quality of life.
5. Adherence to Maryland's statute of limitations
In Maryland, medical malpractice claims must generally be filed within three years from the date of injury or when the injury was discovered. Acting promptly is critical to protect your right to seek compensation.
If you believe medical negligence contributed to your chorioamnionitis or its complications, our lawyers will help you evaluate your claim and guide you through the process.
Example chorioamnionitis lawsuit settlements
- $32.5 million settlement: In April 2024, a family in Reading, Pennsylvania, reached a $32.5 million settlement after hospital staff failed to recognize signs of chorioamnionitis and fetal distress, leading to severe outcomes for their child.
- $6 million settlement: A New York case involved a mother who experienced prolonged labor and contracted chorioamnionitis. The hospital's delay in performing a timely cesarean section resulted in the infant suffering a stroke and being diagnosed with cerebral palsy. A $6 million settlement was reached on behalf of the child.
- $3.5 million settlement: A mother at 31 weeks gestation was admitted to the hospital with signs of infection indicative of chorioamnionitis. The healthcare providers failed to act on these signs, leading to complications. A $3.5 million settlement was reached in this case.
Reach out to Frank Spector for expert chorioamnionitis settlement legal guidance
If you suspect that medical negligence contributed to chorioamnionitis or its complications, contact Frank Spector for a free consultation. We're here to help you understand your options and take the next steps toward justice and compensation.
- Telephone: Call us directly at 443-845-1456.
- Contact Form: Visit our Contact Page and and fill out a brief form—we'll respond promptly.
What is chorioamnionitis?
Chorioamnionitis is a bacterial infection and inflammation of the fetal membranes (chorion and amnion) and amniotic fluid, typically caused by bacterial infection ascending from the vagina into the uterus during pregnancy or labor. This condition can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby if not promptly treated.
Symptoms of chorioamnionitis
Common symptoms include:
- Fever: Maternal temperature exceeding 38°C (100.4°F).
- Increased heart rate: Maternal tachycardia (heart rate >100 bpm) and/or fetal tachycardia (heart rate >160 bpm).
- Uterine tenderness: Pain or discomfort in the uterus.
- Foul-smelling amniotic fluid: Unpleasant odor of the fluid surrounding the baby.
Types of chorioamnionitis
Chorioamnionitis is classified into three categories based on clinical presentation and diagnostic findings:
- Isolated maternal fever: Maternal temperature between 38.0°C and 38.9°C without additional clinical criteria indicating intraamniotic infection.
- Suspected intraamniotic infection (Triple I): Maternal fever accompanied by one or more clinical risk factors, such as fetal tachycardia, maternal leukocytosis, or purulent cervical discharge.
- Confirmed intraamniotic infection (Triple I): Suspected intraamniotic infection with additional laboratory confirmation, such as positive amniotic fluid culture or placental pathology revealing infection and/or inflammation.
Isolated maternal fever
Isolated maternal fever is defined as a single maternal temperature between 38.0°C and 38.9°C without other clinical signs of infection. This condition may result from non-infectious causes, such as epidural anesthesia, dehydration, or elevated ambient temperature during labor.
While it does not confirm infection, isolated maternal fever requires careful monitoring to rule out progression to intraamniotic infection. In some cases, healthcare providers may consider administering antibiotics if no other source of fever is identified, to mitigate potential risks to the mother and fetus.
Suspected intraamniotic infection (Triple I)
Suspected intraamniotic infection, or suspected Triple I, is diagnosed when a maternal fever of 38.0°C to 38.9°C is accompanied by additional clinical risk factors, such as fetal tachycardia, maternal leukocytosis, or purulent cervical discharge. A single maternal temperature of 39.0°C or higher can also indicate suspected Triple I.
This classification underscores the need for prompt evaluation and initiation of antibiotic therapy to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes for both mother and baby. Early intervention is essential to manage the infection and prevent complications.
Confirmed intraamniotic infection (Triple I)
Confirmed intraamniotic infection is established when clinical signs of suspected Triple I are supported by laboratory evidence, such as a positive Gram stain, low glucose levels, or positive amniotic fluid cultures indicating microbial invasion.
Placental pathology revealing infection and/or inflammation of the placenta, fetal membranes, or umbilical cord (funisitis) also confirms the diagnosis. This confirmation necessitates comprehensive antibiotic treatment and careful monitoring during labor and delivery to manage the infection effectively and mitigate risks to both mother and infant.
What causes chorioamnionitis?
Chorioamnionitis is caused by a bacterial infection that travels from the vagina or cervix into the amniotic sac during pregnancy. It is often associated with prolonged labor, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), or invasive procedures like amniocentesis, which increase the risk of introducing bacteria.
Certain risk factors, such as multiple vaginal exams during labor or untreated maternal infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs), can also contribute to the development of chorioamnionitis. Prevention relies on proper prenatal care, timely treatment of maternal infections, and careful monitoring during labor.
Long-term effects
Chorioamnionitis can result in serious complications for both mother and baby if not properly treated. Long-term effects may include:
- Cerebral palsy: Infection-related inflammation can lead to brain damage, increasing the risk of this lifelong condition.
- Sepsis: Both mother and baby may develop severe infections that require extensive medical care.
- Chronic respiratory issues: Damage to the baby's lungs during infection can lead to ongoing breathing problems.
- Neurological impairments: Delayed development, learning disabilities, or motor skill challenges are common in affected infants.
- Infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): For mothers, untreated chorioamnionitis may lead to reproductive complications.
How to treat chorioamnionitis
The treatment of chorioamnionitis involves prompt and aggressive management to reduce risks for both mother and baby. According to guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), standard treatment includes:
- Antibiotics: Broad-spectrum antibiotics are administered intravenously to combat the infection. Common choices include ampicillin, gentamicin, and clindamycin.
- Delivery of the baby: Once the infection is diagnosed, expediting delivery, often via induction or cesarean section, is vital to minimize complications.
- Supportive care: Both mother and baby are monitored closely for signs of worsening infection or complications, such as fever, fetal distress, or respiratory difficulties.
Failure to treat chorioamnionitis adequately can result in severe complications, and this negligence may be grounds for a medical malpractice claim. If you believe delayed or improper treatment caused harm, it's essential to seek our legal advice to protect your rights and secure compensation.
Don't delay in seeking our legal advice
If you suspect that medical malpractice led to chorioamnionitis and caused harm to you or your baby, it's key to act quickly. Delaying action not only risks exceeding Maryland's strict statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims but can also make it harder to gather evidence and build a strong case.
Our experienced team understands the devastating impact this condition can have on families, and we are here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact our Baltimore birth injury lawyer today for a free consultation to discuss your options and protect your right to seek justice and compensation.
Telephone: Call us at 443-845-1456. Contact Form: Visit our Contact Page and complete the form. We'll respond promptly!
FAQs
What are the odds of getting chorioamnionitis?
The incidence of chorioamnionitis varies between studies, mainly due to inconsistent diagnostic criteria. It is more prevalent in preterm deliveries, with incidence ranging from 40% to 70%, and less common among term deliveries, with an incidence of 1% to 4%.
Can a baby survive chorioamnionitis?
Yes, with prompt and appropriate treatment, many babies exposed to chorioamnionitis survive. However, the condition increases the risk of complications such as neonatal sepsis, respiratory distress, and, in severe cases, can lead to long-term health issues.
What bugs cause chorioamnionitis?
Chorioamnionitis is typically caused by bacteria ascending from the lower genital tract. Common pathogens include Escherichia coli, group B Streptococcus, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Mycoplasma hominis. Polymicrobial infections are also common.
What is the mortality rate for chorioamnionitis?
The neonatal mortality rate associated with chorioamnionitis varies. One study reported a neonatal mortality rate of 10.6% in infants born before 33 weeks of gestation to mothers with chorioamnionitis, compared to 6.1% in those without exposure.
It's important to note that early diagnosis and treatment of chorioamnionitis are critical in reducing the risks associated with the condition.
