Meningitis in Newborns

Newborns / Pediatric Meningitis Attorney

If your Newborn was Improperly Treated, Health Care Providers may be to Blame

At Michels & Lew, we have medical malpractice attorneys with the resources and experience to handle lawsuits involving newborns infected with meningitis. If a child is not diagnosed and treated effectively for meningitis, brain damage, serious spinal cord injury and long-term medical challenges may result. A health care provider may have failed to keep your child safe or identify factors that put your child at risk. Call 800-639-1400 for a free consultation with birth injury attorneys who know how to pursue justice and get results.

Meningitis in newborns can be caused by a bacterial infection or virus. While people of any age can contract meningitis, newborns are at high risk of serious complications if they are infected. Some of the ways an infant may become infected include:

• During birth, even if she shows no symptoms, a mother may pass the infection to her child
• Having a severe and untreated ear infection or the mumps
• Coming into contact with contaminated objects
• Contracting Group B Streptococcal, E. coli, Listeria or other diseases

Any of the above, and other causes of meningitis, can be treated if appropriate steps are taken by responsible health care professionals. But if they fail in their responsibilities to protect your child, the birth injury lawyers at Michels & Lew offer free consultations. You may be entitled to significant compensation for the injuries your child has suffered if they are the result of medical malpractice.

Symptoms of Meningitis in Newborns

The symptoms of meningitis in newborns may be subtle at first but may become more severe if undiagnosed. By the time severe symptoms are obvious, a child may be permanently disabled or at risk of premature death. Some symptoms of meningitis include:

• diarrhea
• difficulty breathing
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• lethargy
• seizures
• unstable body temperature
• vomiting

These symptoms may be associated with other conditions as well, therefore it is imperative that the appropriate tests are performed on both mother and child in a timely way. Risk factors can be minimized and treatment can be provided but health care providers must perform their duties. If they fail to do so, hold them accountable and call the birth injury lawyers at Michels & Lew.