Our lawyers have protected birth-injury victims for almost four decades. Jonathan Schochor, a dedicated Columbia fetal acidosis attorney, and Kerry Staton, an equally skilled Columbia birth-injury lawyer, lead every investigation with meticulous care. We have secured multimillion-dollar recoveries for children harmed by oxygen deprivation at birth.
We stand beside Midlands families. From downtown Columbia and Forest Acres to Irmo, Lexington, and Blythewood, parents trust the fetal acidosis attorneys at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. We arrange hospital record collection from Prisma Health Richland, Lexington Medical Center, or any facility involved, and we never charge for the initial consultation. Call (443) 909-2792. Our line is answered around the clock.
What Is Fetal Acidosis and How Does It Harm Newborns?
Fetal acidosis is a dangerous drop in a baby’s blood pH below about 7.35 before, during, or just after delivery. Excess acid builds up when the baby receives too little oxygen, and cells begin to produce lactic acid.
The consequences are severe. High acidity can injure brain tissue, trigger seizures, or lead to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and, ultimately, cerebral palsy. National surveillance data show that roughly one in 33 U.S. infants sustains a birth injury; fetal acidosis is among the most devastating because damage happens in minutes, not hours. Early recognition and rapid intervention are therefore critical.
How Medical Negligence Triggers Fetal Acidosis
Negligence causes fetal acidosis when providers ignore or mismanage warning signs. Obstetric teams must monitor fetal heart rate patterns continuously. When late decelerations or a “saltatory” pattern appears, the standard of care demands immediate action—usually repositioning the mother, providing oxygen, or ordering an emergency cesarean. Failing to act lets hypoxia progress to acidosis.
Jonathan Schochor, Columbia fetal acidosis lawyer, frequently uncovers chart entries showing delayed response times or misread heart tracings. Kerry Staton, another seasoned Columbia fetal acidosis attorney, often highlights improper Pitocin dosing that overstimulated the uterus, cutting off placental blood flow. In both scenarios, a timely decision could have prevented injury.
Common Delivery Errors That Lead to Oxygen Deprivation
Placental problems create silent danger. Abruption or insufficiency restricts oxygenated blood and lets acid accumulate.
Umbilical cord complications are equally harmful. Compression, prolapse, or a tight nuchal cord can strangle the oxygen supply within seconds.
Prolonged labor introduces risk. Shoulder dystocia, macrosomia, or malposition lengthen delivery, increasing stress and acidity in fetal blood.
Each issue above is predictable, detectable, and treatable. The Columbia fetal acidosis attorneys at our firm show juries exactly where the breakdown occurred and why prompt intervention would have protected the child.
Uncommon Scenarios Our Columbia Fetal Acidosis Lawyers Handle
Uterine rupture is rare but catastrophic. A previous cesarean scar can tear, halting blood flow within moments.
Tachysystole from excessive labor drugs squeezes the uterus so frequently that the placenta cannot refill with oxygenated blood.
Severe maternal crises such as eclampsia, massive hemorrhage, or amniotic-fluid embolism drop the mother’s blood pressure abruptly, starving the fetus of oxygen.
True knots in the cord occasionally tighten as the baby descends, cutting circulation unexpectedly.
Doctors must anticipate these emergencies, recognize them instantly, and act without delay. Jonathan Schochor, Columbia birth-injury attorney, has litigated precisely these scenarios, proving that vigilance prevents tragedy.
Signs, Symptoms, and Long-Term Injuries Related to Fetal Acidosis
A low Apgar score is the first red flag. Weak cry, poor tone, or pale color signals distress and prompts arterial blood-gas testing to confirm acidosis.
Early complications appear within hours: labored breathing, seizures, feeding difficulty, or abnormal EEG patterns. Even mild cases demand NICU monitoring because secondary swelling can progress over 24–48 hours.
Long-term outcomes are life-altering. Cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and motor impairments often emerge in infancy, while cognitive deficits may not surface until preschool. Families face staggering therapy and equipment costs sometimes millions of dollars over a child’s lifetime. Our Columbia fetal acidosis legal team documents every projected expense so juries understand the lifelong impact.
Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim for Fetal Acidosis in South Carolina
Medical malpractice occurs when a provider’s care falls below accepted standards and directly injures the patient. In fetal acidosis claims we prove three elements: breach, causation, and damages.
We gather electronic fetal monitoring strips, operative notes, and NICU records, then consult board-certified OB/GYN and neonatology experts. Their sworn opinions identify each deviation, such as a 20-minute delay in ordering a C-section or a misread baseline variability, and link it to the child’s brain injury.
South Carolina generally allows three years from the date of injury to file suit, but no more than six years in total. Jonathan Schochor, the Columbia fetal acidosis attorney at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A., files quickly so evidence stays fresh. Kerry Staton, a veteran Columbia birth-injury lawyer, then drives the case toward settlement or trial while parents focus on their child.
The Damages We Pursue for Your Child’s Future
We seek every dollar the law permits. Past and future medical care, therapy, assistive technology, in-home nursing, special-education costs, and architectural modifications form the economic component. We also demand compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Parents may recover lost wages if caregiving forces them from the workforce.
Money cannot erase injury, but it funds essential treatment and holds negligent providers accountable. The Columbia fetal acidosis attorneys at our practice build detailed life-care plans so juries see the price of a lifetime of care.
What Columbia Families Say About Our Birth-Injury Attorneys
“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.
“With Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea you receive exactly what’s needed…expert representation with integrity and professionalism at a time when you need it most.” – Stephanie
Meet Our Columbia Fetal Acidosis Attorneys
Jonathan Schochor
Co-founder and Chairman of the firm since 1984, Jonathan brings 50 + years of medical malpractice trial work, repeat listings in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers, and a track record of record-setting birth injury verdicts.
Kerry D. Staton
Managing Partner and fellow co-founder, Kerry is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Advocate and Best Lawyers’ 2025 Baltimore “Lawyer of the Year” for medical-malpractice plaintiffs, known for eight-figure obstetrical-injury recoveries.
Together these Columbia fetal acidosis lawyers have secured well over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for birth-injury clients.
Ready to Talk?
Your child’s future cannot wait. Call the Columbia fetal acidosis attorneys at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. today at (443) 909-2792 for a free, confidential case review. We cover all costs upfront and only collect a fee if we win compensation for your family.