Chicago Chorioamnionitis Lawyers

Whether they’re commuting downtown, attending prenatal appointments in Hyde Park, or preparing for delivery on the North Side, pregnant women in Chicago trust their medical providers to protect their health and their baby’s wellbeing throughout every stage of pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

Most have never heard of chorioamnionitis, a serious infection that can develop during pregnancy or labor. When properly monitored and treated, chorioamnionitis is often manageable. But when warning signs are missed or treatment is delayed, it can lead to devastating maternal and newborn complications.

At Beam Legal Team, our birth injury lawyers represent families in Chicago and nationwide whose lives were altered by preventable pregnancy and birth injuries linked to chorioamnionitis. Our role is to help families understand what went wrong, protect their legal rights, and pursue compensation for the care their child or family now needs.

If you or your baby were harmed by this condition and you believe your healthcare provider or facility was negligent, we want to hear your story. Contact us today for a free consultation.

What Is Chorioamnionitis?

Chorioamnionitis (also known as intra-amniotic infection) is a bacterial infection of the amniotic fluid, placenta, and fetal membranes. It most commonly occurs when bacteria from the vagina are transferred into the uterus during pregnancy or labor.

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Without immediate antibiotic administration and/or timely delivery, chorioamnionitis can expose both a mother and her baby to serious, long-term health risks.

Key Facts About Chorioamnionitis

If the word chorioamnionitis is new to you, you’re not alone. Knowing some basic facts about this condition can help you better understand how it occurred and your options moving forward.

Chorioamnionitis:

• Most often occurs during labor, especially after prolonged rupture of membranes
• Is frequently associated with premature birth
• Can cause brain injury, infection, or oxygen deprivation in newborns
• Requires immediate diagnosis and treatment
• Is often preventable or manageable with proper medical care

What Are the Causes and Risk Factors?

Chorioamnionitis is typically caused by bacteria entering the uterus, but certain conditions significantly increase the risk, many of which require careful medical oversight.

Common causes and risk factors include:

• Prolonged labor or long periods after the water breaks
• Multiple vaginal exams after membrane rupture
• Untreated urinary tract or vaginal infections
• Failure to diagnose or treat maternal fever
• Premature rupture of membranes
• Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection
• Use of internal fetal monitoring without proper safeguards

When providers fail to recognize these risks or respond appropriately, the infection can progress rapidly.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Chorioamnionitis Diagnosis?

Chorioamnionitis itself is not always preventable, but medical negligence related to its diagnosis or treatment is unacceptable. Liability when this condition occurs may rest with one or more parties involved in prenatal or delivery care.

Potentially responsible parties may include:

• Obstetricians or physicians who fail to recognize infection symptoms or delay delivery
• Labor and delivery nurses who miss signs of fever, fetal distress, or infection
• Hospitals and medical centers responsible for staff training, protocols, or understaffing
• Medical practices or healthcare systems that fail to implement or follow infection-control standards

Identifying all liable parties is an important part of securing full compensation for affected families.

What Are the Challenges and Complications Associated With Chorioamnionitis?

Chorioamnionitis poses serious risks to both mother and baby, especially when diagnosis or treatment is delayed.

Maternal Complications

• Sepsis and systemic infection
• Postpartum hemorrhage
• Uterine infection (endometritis)
• Increased risk of cesarean delivery
• Long-term reproductive complications

Fetal and Newborn Complications

• Premature birth and low birth weight
• Neonatal sepsis
• Respiratory distress
• Brain injuries such as hypoxic-ischemic injury
• Increased risk of cerebral palsy and developmental delays

These outcomes can require lifelong medical care, therapy, and support.

How Is Chorioamnionitis Treated?

Once suspected or diagnosed, chorioamnionitis requires immediate intervention. Standard treatment usually includes:

• Prompt administration of broad-spectrum IV antibiotics
• Continuous monitoring of both mother and fetus
• Expedited delivery when medically indicated
• Post-delivery monitoring for infection in the newborn
• NICU care if the baby shows signs of distress or infection

Delays at any stage, whether it’s diagnosis, antibiotics administration, or delivery, can dramatically worsen outcomes.

Where Can Mothers and Babies Affected by Chorioamnionitis Get Treatment in Chicago?

While Beam Legal Team helps families nationwide, many Chicago families receive care at leading regional hospitals equipped to manage high-risk pregnancies and neonatal complications.

Some of these top healthcare facilities include:

• Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago: A nationally recognized pediatric hospital offering advanced neonatal, neurological, and long-term developmental care for infants affected by birth-related infections and injuries.
• Prentice Women’s Hospital: A major Chicago delivery hospital with high-level NICU services, frequently involved in managing maternal infections and high-risk births.
• Comer Children’s Hospital: Provides specialized neonatal and pediatric care for infants experiencing complications from prematurity and infection.
• Rush University Children’s Hospital: Offers integrated pediatric, neurological, and rehabilitative services for children with complex medical needs.

Chorioamnionitis Support Groups in Chicago

Families impacted by pregnancy complications and birth injuries often benefit from peer support and community resources. Chicago-area organizations that families and mothers may find helpful include:

• UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago: Supports families of children with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities that may be chorioamnionitis-related through education and community programming.
• Family Matters PTIC: Offers guidance on special education services and navigating school-based support systems across Illinois for families affected by chorioamnionitis and other conditions.
• Special Needs Mom Squad: A Chicago-based peer support community for mothers raising children with special medical or developmental needs, offering connection, shared experiences, and emotional support through local and virtual meetups.
• Chicago Parent – Special Needs Resource Directory: A curated list of Chicago-area support groups, nonprofits, educational programs, and services for families raising children with special needs, including those affected by birth injuries and medical complications.