Finding Answers, Demanding Justice

Did Your Newborn Develop Sepsis or Meningitis? A Preventable GBS Infection May Be the Cause.

There is nothing more terrifying than watching your newborn baby fight for their life against a severe infection like sepsis or meningitis. You are in a state of shock and grief, wondering how this could have happened. What you may not know is that many of these tragic infections are **completely preventable**.

The most common cause of neonatal sepsis is **Group B Strep (GBS)**, a common bacterium that is harmless to the mother but can be devastating to a newborn. Your doctor had a clear and simple duty to test you for GBS during your pregnancy and provide antibiotics during delivery. Your child’s suffering may be the direct result of a doctor’s failure to follow this basic standard of care.

At McKeen & Associates, PC, we are here to find the answers. We have the expertise to investigate what went wrong and the determination to hold the medical team accountable for their negligence.

A Nationally Recognized Leader in Birth Injury Law

When your child’s future is on the line, you need a law firm with a proven record of winning the most complex birth injury cases.

For over 40 years, parents have turned to McKeen & Associates, PC because our name is synonymous with justice. Our firm is led by Brian McKeen, recognized as “Michigan’s Most Winning Medical Malpractice Lawyer.” We channel that same strength and intelligence into every birth injury case we handle nationwide.

We have the expertise to investigate complex medical records and the resources to fight for the maximum compensation your child needs for a lifetime of care. You can see our record-setting verdicts and settlements here.

You don’t have to face this alone. We provide a free, confidential consultation to listen to your story and explain your rights. You will never pay a fee unless we win your case—that is our No-Fee-Unless-You-Win promise to you.

Our Record of Success in Birth Injury Cases

$55 Million Verdict – Failure to Treat Infection
We won Michigan’s largest-ever medical malpractice verdict for a baby who suffered catastrophic brain damage. Emergency room staff negligently discharged the child, who was “gasping for air,” instead of admitting him for observation and treating his developing infection. The child arrested the very next morning, and we successfully held the hospital accountable for his permanent injuries.

What is the Standard of Care for Group B Strep (GBS)?

GBS is a bacterium found in about 25% of all healthy, adult women. Because it is so common and the risk to a newborn is so great, a clear standard of care is taught to every OB-GYN and hospital.

The Test: Every pregnant woman should be screened for GBS between 36 and 38 weeks of pregnancy.
The Treatment: If the mother tests positive (or if her status is unknown), she must be given IV antibiotics (typically penicillin) during labor.

This simple, two-step process is incredibly effective and prevents more than 90% of GBS infections in newborns. Failure to do this is a clear breach of the standard of care.

When a Doctor’s Failure Causes Lifelong Harm

When a doctor fails to test for GBS or fails to provide antibiotics, the baby can be exposed to the bacteria during delivery. This can lead to a life-threatening infection within hours or days of birth.

This negligence is the direct cause of devastating, permanent conditions, including:

Neonatal Sepsis: A life-threatening infection of the bloodstream.
Meningitis: An infection that causes swelling in the brain and spinal cord, often leading to permanent brain damage.
Cerebral Palsy or severe developmental delays.
Hearing or vision loss.
Wrongful death.

Your Child’s Infection May Have Been Preventable

If your child is suffering from sepsis or meningitis, you deserve to know if a simple GBS test was missed. We are here to listen. Contact our compassionate team today for a free, confidential consultation. Call 313-524-8570 today.

Serving Parents Nationwide

While our firm is headquartered in Detroit, our reputation for handling—and winning—complex birth injury cases is national. Families and attorneys from across the country turn to us for our specific expertise and our record of success in holding medical systems accountable.

We are proud to represent families across the United States. Learn more about our work in these communities:

More Than Just a Lawsuit: Our Commitment to Your Family

We know that no amount of money can undo what happened. We also know that parents facing a child’s birth injury are often grappling with grief, exhaustion, and the stress of navigating complex medical systems. Our team is equipped to handle these challenges. We simplify the legal jargon and handle every detail of the case so you can focus on what matters most: your family.

★★★★★

“Brian McKeen and Richard Counsman were phenomenal. …they were all caring, compassionate and dedicated to getting me and my son justice. I would recommend them to anyone needing a malpractice attorney.”

– Andrea Smith

You Are Not Alone. We Are Here to Listen.

If your child was harmed by an infection you believe was preventable, you deserve answers. Our team is available to listen to your story in a free, confidential consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case. Call 313-524-8570 today.