During pregnancy, timely detection and treatment of maternal infections are critical to protect both the mother and baby. If left untreated or improperly managed, maternal infections can lead to serious complications, including birth injuries, premature birth, developmental disorders, and stillbirth. Tragically, many of these complications are preventable with appropriate medical care.
If you or your baby has been harmed due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose or treat a maternal infection, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. A San Diego failure to detect and treat maternal infections lawyer can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress, and long-term care needs.
Common Maternal Infections and Their Risks
Maternal infections can have serious consequences for both mother and child if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Some of the most common infections include:
Group B Streptococcus (GBS)
- A bacterial infection that can pass to the baby during delivery.
- Complications: Sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, and death.
- Prevention: Routine screening and antibiotics during labor can reduce the risk.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- Common during pregnancy, but if left untreated, can lead to kidney infections and preterm labor.
- Complications: Low birth weight, premature birth, and maternal sepsis.
Chorioamnionitis
- A bacterial infection of the membranes and amniotic fluid.
- Complications: Preterm birth, neonatal sepsis, and cerebral palsy.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- A viral infection that can be transmitted to the baby in utero.
- Complications: Hearing loss, vision problems, intellectual disabilities, and seizures.
Toxoplasmosis
- Caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or cat feces.
- Complications: Brain damage, vision problems, and developmental delays.
Listeria
- A bacterial infection from contaminated food.
- Complications: Stillbirth, miscarriage, and severe neonatal infections.
Timely detection and treatment of these infections are essential to prevent serious outcomes.
How Medical Negligence Leads to Maternal Infection Complications
Healthcare providers have a duty to monitor and manage maternal health during pregnancy. Failure to detect and treat maternal infections can result from several types of negligence:
- Failure to perform routine screening – Ignoring or skipping necessary tests.
- Misinterpreting test results – Failing to recognize abnormal findings.
- Failure to prescribe appropriate treatment – Not providing antibiotics or antiviral medications when needed.
- Delaying diagnosis and treatment – Allowing infections to progress and cause harm.
- Poor communication – Between doctors and staff, leading to missed diagnoses.
A San Diego failure to detect and treat maternal infections lawyer will review your medical records and work with experts to determine whether negligence occurred.
Common Injuries Caused by Untreated Maternal Infections
When maternal infections are left untreated, they can cause severe and lifelong complications for both mother and baby. Common injuries include:
- Sepsis and septic shock – Life-threatening complications for the mother or baby.
- Premature birth – Leading to breathing difficulties, developmental delays, and other health problems.
- Cerebral palsy – Often associated with infections that cause brain damage.
- Hearing and vision loss – Common in babies exposed to CMV or toxoplasmosis.
- Stillbirth or neonatal death – In severe cases.
Proving Medical Negligence in a Maternal Infection Lawsuit
To succeed in a maternal infection lawsuit, you must prove that the healthcare provider’s failure to detect or treat the infection constituted medical negligence. The key elements of a malpractice case are:
- Duty of Care – The provider had a responsibility to deliver care consistent with accepted medical standards.
- Breach of Duty – The provider failed to meet that standard by missing or mismanaging the infection.
- Causation – The breach directly caused injury to the mother or baby.
- Damages – The injury resulted in measurable harm.
A San Diego failure to detect and treat maternal infections lawyer will gather evidence, consult with medical experts, and build a strong case on your behalf.
Compensation Available in a Maternal Infection Lawsuit
Victims of medical malpractice may be entitled to significant compensation for their physical, emotional, and financial losses. Potential damages include:
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses – Past and future treatment for both mother and child.
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs – Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy for affected children.
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity – If the mother or child’s injuries affect their ability to work.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering – Physical pain and emotional trauma caused by the injuries.
- Emotional distress – Anxiety, depression, and PTSD resulting from the experience.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – Reduced ability to participate in daily activities.
- Loss of consortium – Impact on relationships with family members.
Punitive Damages
In cases of gross negligence, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter future misconduct.
How a San Diego Maternal Infection Lawyer Can Help
Filing a maternal infection lawsuit requires legal expertise and access to medical professionals who can provide testimony. An experienced San Diego failure to detect and treat maternal infections lawyer can:
- Investigate your case to determine whether negligence occurred.
- Consult with medical experts to assess the extent of the injuries and their cause.
- Gather evidence, including medical records, test results, and expert testimony.
- Negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement.
- Represent you in court if necessary to secure maximum compensation.
With a skilled attorney on your side, you can focus on healing and caring for your child while they handle the legal process.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Maternal Infection Lawsuits
California law imposes strict deadlines for filing medical malpractice claims:
- Three years from the date of injury.
- One year from the discovery of the injury.
- Six months for claims against public healthcare providers.
For minors, the statute of limitations may be extended until the child’s eighth birthday in certain cases.
Failing to meet these deadlines can bar you from seeking compensation, so it’s crucial to contact a San Diego maternal infection lawyer as soon as possible.
Recent Maternal Infection Lawsuit Settlements in California
Several high-profile maternal infection cases in California have resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements, including:
- $12.5 million for a baby who suffered brain damage due to untreated chorioamnionitis.
- $8.9 million for a family whose child was born with hearing loss and cognitive impairments due to undiagnosed CMV.
- $5.7 million for a mother who experienced sepsis and multiple organ failure due to a misdiagnosed UTI.
These settlements highlight the importance of strong legal representation in securing fair compensation.
Why Choose The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock?
At The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock, we are dedicated to helping families affected by medical negligence recover the compensation they deserve. We offer:
- Decades of experience handling birth injury and maternal infection cases.
- Access to top medical experts to support your case.
- Personalized legal strategies tailored to your family’s unique needs.
- Aggressive representation to fight for maximum compensation.
Contact a San Diego Maternal Infection Lawyer Today
If you or your child has been harmed due to a failure to detect and treat a maternal infection, you don’t have to face this journey alone. A San Diego maternal infection lawyer can help you hold negligent medical providers accountable and secure the compensation your family needs for your child’s future.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you take the first step toward justice.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Maternal Infections and Birth Outcomes. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov
- National Institutes of Health. (2024). Common Perinatal Infections and Their Impact. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov
- California Department of Public Health. (2024). Maternal and Child Health Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.cdph.ca.gov
