Pittsburgh
Group B Strep Infection Misdiagnosis Lawyer

On This Page

1. Medical Negligence and Group B Strep Infection Misdiagnosis
2. Group B Strep Infections and Your Newborn
3. Treatment for GBS
4. How a Pittsburgh Group B Strep Infection Misdiagnosis Lawyer Can Help You
5. Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
6. The Statute of Limitations for a Medical Malpractice Claim

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

December 12, 2023

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Medical Negligence and Group B Strep Infection Misdiagnosis

If your doctor misdiagnosed Group B strep infection in you or your baby, and caused a worsening of your condition, you may be entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice action.

You could recover costs associated with:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages, if you had to take time off work to care for your child
• Reduced earning capacity, if you had to take a different job to take care of your child
• Pain and suffering and inconvenience
• Emotional trauma
• Disability

With a proper diagnosis, a Group B strep infection can usually be treated. However, a misdiagnosis can result in the development of life-threatening concerns that could claim the child’s life. A Pittsburgh Group B strep infection misdiagnosis lawyer can assess the details of your situation and determine what course of legal action suits your goals.

To get started with a free case evaluation, call Berger and Green today: (412) 661-1400.

Group B Strep Infections and Your Newborn

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), group B streptococcus bacteria live in the gastrointestinal and genital tracts. While the bacteria is mostly not harmful, it can invade the body, resulting in serious health issues. While people of all ages can experience problems with group B streptococcus (GBS), it is especially dangerous for infants.

Doctors are held to a certain standard of care when accepting patients into their charge. They are responsible for continuously monitoring both a mother and child’s condition pre- and post-birth, looking for signs of any illnesses that could affect their wellbeing. If a medical professional does not uphold these responsibilities, they could be held financially liable for any resulting damages.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some symptoms of group B strep in newborns include:

• Fever
• Difficulty eating
• Lack of energy
• Labored, raspy breathing
• Irritability
• The development of jaundice

These symptoms must be recognized immediately to avoid GBS from developing into another health concern. The CDC notes that meningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis could result from an untreated GBS infection in a newborn. The CDC also states that between 4% and 6% of babies with GBS die before their first birthday.

If your doctor failed to test you for GBS or misdiagnosed your baby’s infection, we can help you fight for justice. A Pittsburgh Group B strep infection misdiagnosis lawyer from Berger and Green can get to work advocating on your family’s behalf. To get started, call (412) 661-1400 for a free case consultation.

Treatment for GBS

While a GBS infection can have devastating effects, it is treatable. The CDC notes that a GBS infection can be treated with antibiotics. However, based on the secondary impacts of the disease, you and your child may need additional forms of treatment.

Your doctor is not only responsible for providing an accurate diagnosis, but for also providing the correct treatment. If they failed to uphold these obligations, they can be subjected to a medical malpractice claim or lawsuit.

How a Pittsburgh Group B Strep Infection Misdiagnosis Lawyer Can Help You

For your case to be successful, your legal team needs to establish that your doctor did not act in accordance with their field’s standard of care. We will argue that had your doctor conducted necessary testing or recognized the signs of GBS, you and your child would not have suffered.

To establish this, we can:

• Consult with a third-party medical professional to learn more about your or your child’s condition
• Collect evidence of negligence

We will also:

• Estimate the cost of your incurred expenses
• Negotiate for a settlement that covers your losses
• Determine how the liable party’s actions (or inactions) resulted in your situation
• Take your case to court, if necessary

At Berger and Green, we work on a contingency-fee basis. You do not pay us attorney’s fees until the conclusion of your case––and only if it is successful. If we cannot get compensation for you and your family, then you do not owe us payment for certain services. To learn more about what this means, we encourage you to reach out to our team today.

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim

If you lost a child because your doctor misdiagnosed or failed to diagnose GBS, our hearts go out to you during this challenging time. If you are interested in filing a wrongful death claim, a lawyer from Berger and Green can advise you on your legal options.

If you are a qualifying representative, beneficiaries could recover the cost of:

• Your child’s end-of-life medical bills
• Funeral expenses
• Emotional trauma
• The cost of therapy for the decedent’s family

The statute of limitations as it applies to a wrongful death claim will start from the date of your child’s passing.

The Statute of Limitations for a Medical Malpractice Claim

Under 42 Pa.CSA § 5524, you usually have two years to bring your case to court. However, this deadline will rest on various factors in your case. One of those elements is when you discovered that medical malpractice took place. That will dictate how long you have to take legal action.

If you do not act within Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations, your case will be time-barred, meaning that you cannot bring your case before a judge. To promote your case’s success, we encourage you to act quickly.

Get Help from Berger and Green Today

You do not have to undergo the legal process alone. When you work with Berger and Green, you focus on your family while we advocate for your legal rights. If a medical professional misdiagnosed your or your child’s GBS infection, we encourage you to reach out to our legal team today.

Let us help you and your family seek justice. To learn more in a free case review, call (412) 661-1400.