Fetal acidosis is a sudden medical crisis that can leave parents reeling. The condition signals that a newborn’s blood has turned dangerously acidic because oxygen ran low at a critical moment. The shock, fear, and confusion are overwhelming in those first frantic hours. We understand that urgency and the lifelong questions that follow.
At Schochor, Staton, Goldberg & Cardea, P.A., we stand beside Towson families facing this nightmare. Towson fetal acidosis lawyer Jonathan Schochor and Baltimore birth-injury attorney Kerry Staton have helped hundreds of parents find answers and justice. Call (443) 909-2792 now for a free, confidential consultation. Your baby’s future is too important to wait.
Who Are Our Towson Birth-Injury Attorneys?
Our team is led by Towson birth-injury lawyer Jonathan Schochor and Towson fetal acidosis attorney Kerry Staton. Together they bring more than four decades of focused birth-injury litigation to every case. They have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars, including record-setting verdicts for oxygen-deprivation injuries.
Clients meet directly with an attorney because compassion is central to our practice. From our Baltimore office, just minutes down I-83 from Towson, our Towson fetal acidosis attorneys at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea serve families statewide.
“SSGC provided exceptional service with a perfect balance of professionalism and personable care. Their knowledgeable team explained every detail clearly, leaving no question unanswered. Their attention to detail and commitment to client success set them apart. Highly recommended for anyone seeking expert, legal guidance. Unmatched representation!” – David V.
What Is Fetal Acidosis and How Does It Occur?
Fetal acidosis occurs when a baby’s blood pH falls below about 7.2 and lactate skyrockets because oxygen supply was interrupted. Normally, oxygen flows from mother to fetus through the placenta, while carbon dioxide returns to the mother. When that exchange stops, through a compressed cord, placental abruption, or stalled labor, acid builds quickly and can injure delicate brain tissue. Fetal acidosis is dangerous because it can trigger permanent brain damage or death within minutes.
Common and Uncommon Factors That Cause Fetal Acidosis
Common causes
- Umbilical cord compression, prolapse, or a tight nuchal cord
- Placental abruption or insufficiency
- Prolonged or obstructed labor, including shoulder dystocia
- Multiple births sharing oxygen supply
- Macrosomia that complicates delivery
Uncommon or negligent scenarios
- Excessive Pitocin causing hyper-contractions
- Untreated maternal hypotension or severe preeclampsia
- Delayed C-section after non-reassuring heart tones
- Misread or ignored fetal-monitor strips
- Misuse of vacuum extractors or forceps
Medical standards require vigilant monitoring and rapid intervention. When providers fall short, tragedy follows.
Signs and Long-Term Effects of Fetal Acidosis
Low Apgar scores, bluish skin, weak muscle tone, or seizures at birth often warn of acidosis. Blood-gas tests from the umbilical cord confirm the low pH and high lactate. Newborns typically enter the NICU for oxygen support or cooling therapy.
If oxygen deprivation lasts, the child may develop hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, organ damage, or profound developmental delays. Many will need therapy, adaptive equipment, and specialized care for a lifetime, a lifespan that may be full but requires continuous support.
Can Proper Medical Care Prevent Fetal Acidosis?
Yes. Fetal acidosis is often preventable with attentive care. Continuous fetal heart monitoring alerts staff to distress. Standard responses such as maternal oxygen, IV fluids, repositioning, or emergency C-section should follow immediately.
When a reasonable doctor would have acted sooner, failure to do so is negligence. Parents must know the fault is not theirs; medical professionals are responsible for meeting the standard of care.
How Do You Prove a Fetal Acidosis Malpractice Case in Maryland?
A successful claim shows duty, breach, causation, and damages. We secure fetal monitor strips, cord blood gases, nursing notes, and operative reports. Renowned obstetric and neonatology experts review these records and sign the Certificate of Merit Maryland law requires.
Our legal team builds a precise timeline to demonstrate how delayed intervention caused permanent harm. Maryland’s cap on non-economic damages, about $875,000 in 2025, makes documenting economic losses critical.
How Long Do I Have to File a Birth-Injury Claim in Maryland?
Parents generally have three years from discovering the injury, but no later than five years from the birth. Special rules let minors file until roughly the child’s eleventh birthday, yet evidence fades fast. Act quickly so medical records and memories remain intact.
What Compensation Can You Recover for a Fetal Acidosis Injury?
Economic damages cover past and future medical bills, therapy, adaptive equipment, special education, and lost earning capacity, often millions over a lifetime.
Non-economic damages compensate pain, suffering, and loss of life’s joys, capped by Maryland law.
Our Maryland fetal acidosis attorneys partner with life-care planners and economists to fully document these costs, and Towson neonatal malpractice attorney Kerry Staton has secured eight-figure awards when required.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Potentially liable parties include obstetricians, labor-and-delivery nurses, midwives, anesthesiologists, and hospitals. Towson birth-injury attorney team led by Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton investigates every individual and institution from GBMC to St. Joseph Medical Center, to ensure all negligent actors contribute to your child’s future care.
How Do I Start a Fetal Acidosis Lawsuit in Towson?
Call (443) 909-2792 for a free case review. We listen, collect prenatal and delivery records, and consult board-certified experts immediately. Our Towson birth injury attorneys handle filings, insurance negotiations, and court proceedings on a contingency fee. No costs unless we win.
We meet clients at home, in hospitals, or virtually, and we are familiar with cases arising from GBMC, Johns Hopkins, UMMC, Mercy, and Sinai.
Why Choose Schochor, Staton, Goldberg & Cardea?
- Proven Results – Record-setting verdicts in Maryland birth-injury cases.
- Specialized Insight – Birth-injury litigation is a core focus, not a sideline.
- Compassionate Service – Direct attorney access and empathetic guidance.
- Powerful Resources – We stand toe-to-toe with major hospitals and insurers.
- No Fee Unless We Win – Quality representation is risk-free for families.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can fetal acidosis be prevented?
In most cases, vigilant monitoring and timely delivery stop acidosis before damage occurs.
How is fetal acidosis diagnosed?
Doctors confirm it with blood-gas tests showing low pH and high lactate, often alongside low Apgar scores.
The staff said my baby was just “tired.” Should I worry?
“Tired” can mask oxygen deprivation. Our experts review monitor strips to reveal hidden distress.
Do medical records have to list an injury for me to sue?
No. We rely on charts, test results, and expert analysis, not birth certificates.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency and collect fees only if we win compensation.
Conclusion & Next Steps
We fight to secure the resources children need after preventable birth injuries. If you suspect negligence caused your child’s fetal acidosis, contact Towson fetal acidosis lawyer Jonathan Schochor or Baltimore fetal acidosis lawyer Kerry Staton today.
Call (443) 909-2792 or reach us online for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win and no family in Towson should face this burden alone.