A premature birth, defined as delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy, is one of the most serious complications that can occur during pregnancy. While some premature births result from conditions beyond anyone’s control, others are directly linked to failures in prenatal care and delivery management. When a healthcare provider misses warning signs, fails to intervene in time, or makes a critical error during a high-risk pregnancy, the consequences for the baby can last a lifetime.

Families in Indianapolis who are facing the aftermath of a premature birth tied to medical negligence deserve answers and accountability. Wagner Reese LLP is an Indianapolis-based personal injury and medical malpractice firm with more than 150 combined years of legal experience. Our attorneys have earned Trial Lawyer of the Year honors, Super Lawyers recognition, and a Tier-One Best Law Firm ranking from Best Lawyers in America. We handle the most complex birth injury and medical malpractice cases in Indiana, and we are here for families when it matters most. Learn more about how we represent clients across the state on our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers page.

When Premature Birth Becomes a Medical Malpractice Case

Not every premature birth gives rise to a legal claim. However, when a provider’s failure to meet the standard of care contributes to or causes a premature delivery, that failure may be actionable. According to the CDC, preterm birth affected about 1 in every 10 infants born in the United States in 2022, and babies born too early face significantly higher rates of death and long-term disability.

Medical negligence in premature birth cases can take several forms. Providers may fail to identify and treat infections during pregnancy that are known risk factors for preterm labor. They may miss signs of preeclampsia or other high-blood-pressure conditions that require prompt intervention. Some providers fail to administer corticosteroids when early delivery is anticipated, a well-established standard of care for improving fetal lung maturity. Others fail to monitor a high-risk pregnancy with adequate frequency, leaving dangerous conditions undetected until the situation becomes an emergency.

Complications Linked to Premature Birth

Premature birth can affect nearly every organ system in a newborn’s body. The earlier the delivery, the more severe the potential health consequences. Babies born before 32 weeks are at particularly high risk for serious, lasting complications.

Some of the most common and serious conditions associated with premature birth include the following:

  • Respiratory distress syndrome, caused by underdeveloped lungs that cannot adequately support breathing
  • Intraventricular hemorrhage, a brain bleed that can lead to developmental delays, cerebral palsy, or other neurological impairments
  • Necrotizing enterocolitis, a dangerous intestinal condition affecting premature infants
  • Retinopathy of prematurity, which can cause permanent vision impairment or blindness
  • Long-term developmental delays, including cognitive impairments, hearing loss, and motor disabilities

These are well-documented consequences of preterm birth, and when negligent prenatal care contributed to an early delivery, families may have grounds for a legal claim. Our Indiana birth injury attorneys have experience handling cases involving the full range of complications premature babies face.

Proving Premature Birth Negligence in Indiana

Building a successful premature birth negligence case in Indiana requires demonstrating both a breach of the standard of care and a direct causal link between that breach and the harm suffered. This is a demanding burden of proof, which is why thorough legal and medical analysis is essential from the beginning.

Indiana law requires that most medical malpractice claims first go through the Indiana Department of Insurance for review by a medical panel of licensed physicians. This panel evaluates whether the standard of care was met and issues an opinion that can influence how the case proceeds in court. Our attorneys are experienced navigating this process and work with qualified obstetric and neonatal professionals to build the strongest possible case. For more on how we handle these matters, our Indiana medical malpractice attorneys are available to walk you through every step.

Prenatal Negligence and Premature Birth

Many premature birth injuries trace back to failures in prenatal care rather than delivery itself. When OB-GYN providers fail to monitor high-risk pregnancies appropriately, misdiagnose conditions that could have led to timely intervention, or prescribe medications that increase the risk of early labor, their patients and babies pay the price. Umbilical cord complications, infection during pregnancy, and untreated preeclampsia are among the prenatal conditions that, when mismanaged, can trigger premature labor. Our attorneys examine every stage of prenatal care to identify exactly where negligence occurred. Families whose situations involve delivery room errors may also find relevant information through our infant brain injuries page, and those whose cases involve prenatal complications can learn more from our OB-GYN malpractice attorneys or our team familiar with umbilical cord complications.

Contact Wagner Reese LLP for a Premature Birth Negligence Consultation

Wagner Reese LLP has built a reputation across Indiana for taking on the most challenging birth injury and medical malpractice cases and pursuing meaningful results for families. Our founding partners, Stephen Wagner and Jason Reese, have both received Trial Lawyer of the Year honors, and the majority of our cases come from attorney referrals, reflecting the trust the legal community places in our firm. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover for you.

If you believe premature birth complications were the result of medical negligence, do not wait to take action. Indiana’s medical malpractice filing deadlines are strict, and early investigation is critical to preserving evidence and building a strong case. Contact our team today to schedule your free consultation.