Chorioamnionitis Lawsuit
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
- Last Modified:
- September 2, 2024
Chorioamnionitis is a bacterial infection that can potentially lead to serious physical, emotional, and financial consequences for mothers and their newborns. It can occur before, during, or after labor. If you or a loved one received a chorioamnionitis diagnosis and experienced complications as a result, you might be entitled to legal compensation through a medical malpractice claim.
We are a full-service personal injury law firm with a proven track record of success in handling medical malpractice cases related to pregnancy and childbirth in Missouri. Our award-winning personal injury attorneys can determine your eligibility to file a chorioamnionitis lawsuit and seek the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call (800) 536-4357 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
- Are You Eligible to File a Chorioamnionitis Lawsuit?
- What Is Chorioamnionitis?
- Common Causes of Chorioamnionitis
- Chorioamnionitis Complications
- How Do Doctors Treat Chorioamnionitis?
- How Long Do You Have to File a Missouri Chorioamnionitis Lawsuit?
- Get Help With Your Child’s Chorioamnionitis Injuries Today
- Sources
Are You Eligible to File a Chorioamnionitis Lawsuit?
Chorioamnionitis, like many pregnancy complications, often arises from natural causes. However, in some cases, medical negligence may play a role in the development or exacerbation of this condition. If you believe that a medical professional’s negligence contributed to the onset or worsening of your chorioamnionitis, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Chorioamnionitis is a critical condition that requires immediate intervention in line with the accepted medical standard of care. Prompt treatment is essential to ensure the best possible outcomes for both the mother and child.
Failure to diagnose or treat chorioamnionitis can lead to serious medical consequences, as well as legal liability for the responsible health care providers. If you or your child suffered a chorioamnionitis-related birth injury in Missouri due to medical malpractice, do not hesitate to reach out to our attorneys as soon as possible. We will make sure you know your full legal rights and options.
What Is Chorioamnionitis?
Chorioamnionitis is a bacterial infection that can affect the outer and inner membranes, placenta, or amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus during pregnancy. This condition arises in approximately 4 percent of full-term deliveries but is significantly more common in preterm births. According to one study, “histological chorioamnionitis can be found in more than 94 percent” of deliveries between 21–24 weeks gestation.
Common Causes of Chorioamnionitis
The pathogens that cause chorioamnionitis typically originate in the mother’s vaginal canal. Common bacteria that lead to this condition include Group B streptococcus and E. coli. Sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea can also be associated with chorioamnionitis. A variety of factors can introduce pathogens and increase the likelihood of the condition developing, including:
- Multiple cervical exams, particularly after membrane rupture.
- Early or prolonged membrane rupture.
- Prolonged labor (12 hours or more).
- Internal fetal monitoring during labor.
Other risk factors include abnormal bacterial colonization and meconium-stained amniotic fluid. First-time births, alcohol and tobacco use, and epidural anesthesia may also contribute to chorioamnionitis risk.
Doctors are responsible for screening for these risk factors and taking preventative measures to avoid infection. For example, doctors should perform Group B streptococcus testing around 36 weeks of pregnancy. If the test is positive, they may administer antibiotics during labor to reduce the risk of chorioamnionitis and other infections.
Chorioamnionitis Complications
Chorioamnionitis can cause severe health complications in both the mother and newborn if not treated quickly and effectively. One possible complication is bacteremia, a blood infection that sometimes results in preterm labor (birth before 37 weeks of gestation). It can lead to a variety of injuries and health problems, including cerebral palsy and retinopathy.
Maternal Complications | Neonatal Complications |
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Maternal Complications |
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Neonatal Complications |
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How Do Doctors Treat Chorioamnionitis?
In most cases, doctors administer intravenous antibiotics to the mother as soon as they detect chorioamnionitis. The most common antibiotics administered for chorioamnionitis are ampicillin and gentamicin.
It’s also common to administer an additional dose of antibiotics after a cesarean section. Doctors may try to induce an early birth or perform a cesarean section as a preventative measure, especially if the pregnancy is close to full term or if there are signs of fetal distress.
How Long Do You Have to File a Missouri Chorioamnionitis Lawsuit?
For maternal injuries, the Missouri medical malpractice statute of limitations gives two years from the date of the underlying incident to file. However, in cases involving injuries to a newborn, the child has until their 20th birthday to take legal action for any harm they suffered.
There may be exceptions that extend the timeline of your birth injury lawsuit. For example, if your health care provider failed to inform you of important medical test results, the countdown might begin on the date you discovered or could have reasonably discovered their failure.
In all cases, missing the correct deadline normally results in your case being dismissed in court. Reach out to our legal team as soon as possible to learn more. We will evaluate your case, gather all available evidence, and ensure your claim is filed on time.
Get started with a free consultation with one of our skilled Personal Injury Lawyers today.
Get Help With Your Child's Chorioamnionitis Injuries Today
A health care provider’s failure to diagnose and treat chorioamnionitis is a serious issue that can result in lasting injuries to both the mother and child. These injuries often lead to extensive medical bills, lost earning potential, pain, suffering, diminished quality of life, and more. Filing a chorioamnionitis lawsuit can help you seek justice and compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial impact of your injuries and losses.
With over 40 years of experience and $1 billion recovered for our clients, our attorneys have what it takes to achieve life-changing case results for you and your family. If you suspect medical negligence may have caused your or your child’s chorioamnionitis injuries, contact us online or call (800) 536-4357 to schedule a free consultation.
Sources
- Chorioamnionitis. Cedars Sinai. Retrieved June 21, 2024, from https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/c/chorioamnionitis.html.
- Chorioamnionitis. Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. Retrieved June 21, 2024, from https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=chorioamnionitis-90-P02441.
- Chorioamnionitis. (2022, September 6). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12309-chorioamnionitis.
- Fowler, J. R., & Simon, L. V. (2023, September 4). Chorioamnionitis. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532251/#:~:text=Chorioamnionitis%20is%20an%20ascending%20infection,to%20the%20fetus.%5B8%5D.
- Intrauterine infection (chorioamnionitis). (2021, November 1). Tommy’s. https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-complications/intrauterine-infection-chorioamnionitis.
- Tita, A. T., & Andrews, W. W. (2010). Diagnosis and management of clinical chorioamnionitis. Clinics in Perinatology, 37(2), 339–354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clp.2010.02.003.
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