Few crises shake a family like learning a newborn was deprived of oxygen at birth. As Baltimore birth injury attorneys at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A., we, Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton, have stood with parents in that heartbreaking moment for more than four decades. Our downtown office at 1211 St Paul Street is five minutes from Johns Hopkins Hospital, yet our reach spans every delivery room in Maryland where preventable harm strikes.
We focus on severe birth injuries because meticulous legal work can change a child’s life trajectory. Multimillion-dollar recoveries we have secured for babies with cerebral palsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and fetal acidosis fund lifelong therapy, technology, and specialized education.
More importantly, they hold careless providers accountable so other infants stay safe. IIf you suspect medical negligence caused your child’s fetal acidosis, call us at (410) 234-1000 for a free, compassionate case review.
What Is Fetal Acidosis?
Fetal acidosis occurs when a baby’s blood becomes too acidic, typically a pH below 7.35, because oxygen levels fell during labor or immediately after delivery. Without oxygen, cells switch to anaerobic metabolism and flood the bloodstream with lactic acid. The longer this imbalance lasts, the more likely permanent brain or organ damage will follow.
How Does Fetal Acidosis Happen?
Fetal acidosis usually stems from an avoidable interruption in oxygen delivery:
- Umbilical cord compression, prolapse, or knot restricts blood flow.
- Placental insufficiency prevents adequate gas exchange.
- Excessive contractions from mismanaged Pitocin or a prolonged second stage squeeze the cord and uterus.
- Maternal complications such as severe hypotension or diabetes further limit fetal oxygen.
With continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) and timely intervention, often an emergency Cesarean most cases are preventable. When doctors ignore unmistakable distress, families deserve answers.
Warning Signs of Fetal Distress
Abnormal heart tracings are the clearest red flag. Late decelerations, severe bradycardia, or loss of variability signal hypoxia. Reduced fetal movement, maternal bleeding, or meconium-stained fluid can also cause trouble. Labor teams must react within minutes; hesitation can push pH into the danger zone.
Injuries Caused by Fetal Acidosis
Oxygen deprivation during labor endangers every organ, but the brain is most vulnerable:
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) may appear within hours and often predicts lifelong cognitive or motor deficits.
- Cerebral Palsy (CP), especially spastic or dyskinetic forms, develops in roughly two of every 1,000 U.S. births involving severe acidosis.
- Seizure disorders, developmental delays, and learning disabilities may surface in early childhood.
- Vision or hearing loss, speech impairment, and behavioral challenges frequently accompany HIE or CP.
Parents face skyrocketing costs—specialists, mobility aids, home modifications—that can exceed $1 million before adulthood.
Rare but Severe Complications
In extreme cases, metabolic acidosis triggers multi-organ failure, kidney injury, or neonatal stroke. Some infants suffer stillbirth or die shortly after delivery. Even when survival is possible, these catastrophic outcomes demand extensive medical and financial resources.
Diagnosing and Treating Fetal Acidosis
Continuous EFM provides the first clue. If tracings deteriorate, clinicians can confirm acidosis by sampling scalp blood in labor or umbilical cord blood at birth to measure pH, base deficit, and lactate. Immediate responses include:
- Giving the mother oxygen and IV fluids.
- Re-positioning to relieve cord compression.
- Halting Pitocin to slow contractions.
- Moving swiftly to operative delivery—often within 30 minutes of persistent Category III tracings.
After birth, babies receive NICU care, therapeutic hypothermia to limit brain injury, respiratory support, and seizure control as needed.
When Medical Negligence Causes Fetal Acidosis
Baltimore fetal acidosis attorney Kerry Staton often uncovers the same negligent patterns:
- Failure to monitor—intermittent auscultation instead of continuous EFM in a high-risk labor.
- Misinterpretation of ominous strips or silence about deteriorating tracings.
- Delayed C-section despite clear indications.
- Improper drug management, causing hyper-stimulation and fetal hypoxia.
When these breaches of the standard of care directly injure a newborn, Maryland law permits a malpractice action to recover damages for medical bills, lost earnings capacity, and the child’s pain and suffering.
Your Legal Rights in Maryland
To succeed, a claimant must prove:
- Duty – the provider owed competent obstetric care.
- Breach – actions or omissions fell below accepted standards.
- Causation – breach directly triggered fetal acidosis and resulting injury.
- Damages – measurable losses, both economic and non-economic.
Our Baltimore fetal acidosis attorneys build each element with expert testimony, fetal monitoring strips, and neonatal records. We litigate aggressively yet compassionately because families need both justice and closure.
Statute of Limitations: Act Fast
Maryland applies one of the strictest medical malpractice deadlines: the earlier of five years from the date of the injury or three years from when you discovered it. For a child injured at birth, parents generally must file before the child turns 11, though waiting that long risks lost evidence and faded memories. Call (443) 909-2792 today so we can preserve vital proof.
Local Insight: Baltimore Hospitals and Courts
Most of our fetal acidosis cases originate at landmark facilities such as Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Center, Sinai, or MedStar Franklin Square. We know their protocols, electronic record systems, and chain-of-command structures. Lawsuits are filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City or adjacent counties; our office is three blocks from the Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse, allowing rapid access for filings and hearings.
Why Choose Jonathan Schochor & Kerry Staton
- Deep focus: Birth injury law has been our core practice since 1984.
- Proven results: Jury verdicts and settlements topping $100 million for brain-injured newborns.
- Medical mastery: We read fetal monitoring strips as fluently as any perinatologist, sharpening cross-examination.
- Resources: A network of neonatologists, placental pathologists, economists, and life-care planners ready to testify.
- Compassion: Parents receive direct cell numbers, prompt updates, and guidance to community support services.
Families across Maryland trust the fetal acidosis legal advocates at Schochor, Staton & Cardea because we blend rigorous preparation with genuine empathy.
Testimonials
“Remarkable group of attorneys. I would highly recommend SSGC. This firm goes above and beyond to provide exemplary service to victims of medical malpractice. They are very professional, authentic people who genuinely care about their clients.” – Jaime H.
“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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What if my OB says acidosis was unavoidable?
Second opinions often reveal preventable errors such as misread monitors. We obtain neutral expert reviews at no cost to you.
Do I have to sue my favorite nurse?
Claims target the hospital or insurer, not individuals personally, so you can seek justice without fearing personal bankruptcy of caregivers.
Your Child Deserves a Secure Future
Every baby deserves a healthy start. If fetal acidosis stole that chance, attorney Jonathan Schochor, attorney Kerry Staton, and the dedicated Maryland birth injury lawyers at our firm are ready to fight for the resources your family needs. Time matters.
Call (443) 909-2792 or request a free case evaluation now. Our Baltimore birth injury team will review records, consult leading medical experts, and explain every option without cost or obligation. If we accept your case, you pay no fee unless we win.