Our attorneys have protected Maryland families for more than four decades. Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton have guided hundreds of birth trauma victims to life-changing recoveries, and our record of multi-million-dollar results speaks for itself.
We understand that fetal acidosis turns a joyous delivery into a medical crisis, so we combine seasoned trial skills with genuine compassion. We work with nationally recognized neonatologists, economists, and life-care planners to prove negligence and secure every dollar your child will need.
Take the first step now. Call our Hagerstown fetal acidosis attorneys at (443) 909-2792 for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let us fight for your child’s future while you focus on healing.
What is fetal acidosis and how can it hurt my baby?
Fetal acidosis is a dangerous drop in a newborn’s blood pH caused by prolonged oxygen deprivation during labor or delivery. The acidic blood injures delicate brain cells, disrupts organ function, and may trigger seizures minutes after birth. Severe acidosis often precedes hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and can lead to lifelong disabilities or death if the medical team does not act immediately.
How could this happen in a Hagerstown hospital?
Fetal acidosis usually signals that something went wrong in the delivery room. Common failures include misreading fetal heart tracings, delaying an emergency C-section, over-stimulating contractions with Pitocin, or ignoring umbilical cord compression. When protocols at facilities such as Meritus Medical Center are not followed, babies along the I-70 and I-81 corridors can suffer avoidable brain damage.
Could my doctor or hospital have prevented fetal acidosis?
Often, yes. Well-trained obstetric teams prevent severe acidosis by continuous monitoring, timely interventions, and rapid surgical delivery when distress appears. Cord-blood gas testing and fetal scalp sampling also help physicians act before pH levels reach the danger zone. When those safety steps are skipped or delayed, responsibility may shift from “unfortunate outcome” to medical malpractice.
What birth injuries and long-term effects can fetal acidosis cause?
Unchecked acidosis can cause:
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) – oxygen-related brain injury frequently treated with NICU cooling therapy.
- Cerebral palsy – permanent motor impairment that may need lifetime therapy. (internal link)
- Seizure disorders and developmental delays.
- Organ damage to the heart, kidneys, or lungs.
- Stillbirth or neonatal death in catastrophic cases.
Uncommon but documented complications include fetal stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, and severe behavioral disorders that surface in early childhood. Each outcome brings unique medical, educational, and financial demands that our Hagerstown fetal acidosis lawyers are prepared to document and recover.
What should I do if I suspect my baby’s acidosis was caused by malpractice?
- Seek specialized care for your child immediately.
- Request all medical records—fetal strips, cord blood gases, and NICU notes.
- Contact a birth injury attorney quickly. Maryland generally requires filings within three years of discovery, and every case needs a Certificate of Qualified Expert.
- Avoid signing hospital releases before legal review.
Our firm will investigate the timeline, consult top experts, and tell you whether malpractice occurred.
How can a Hagerstown fetal acidosis lawyer help my family?
We investigate, hire the right experts, and file every pleading while you focus on your baby. Maryland law demands an expert affidavit; we secure it. We calculate future therapy, equipment, and education costs so insurers cannot undervalue your claim. If negotiations stall, Jonathan Schochor, Kerry Staton, or another member of our Hagerstown birth injury team will present your case to a Washington County jury at no upfront fee to you.
What compensation can we recover for a birth injury in Washington County?
Maryland allows unlimited economic damages, including:
- Past and future medical bills.
- Lifelong physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
- In-home nursing and special-education costs.
- Home or vehicle modifications.
- Lost earning capacity.
Non-economic damages such as pain, suffering, and loss of life enjoyment are capped but still significant. We document every category so juries understand the full impact.
Where can I find support and resources in Hagerstown after a birth injury?
Families often lean on the Meritus Medical Center NICU parent group and Washington County’s Early Intervention Program for therapy referrals. Local organizations such as the United Way connect parents to respite care and equipment grants. Our attorneys routinely guide clients from Halfway, Robinwood, Boonsboro, and Smithsburg toward these services while the lawsuit moves forward.
When is the right time to take legal action for a birth injury?
The best time is now. Evidence fades, witness memories blur, and deadlines run quickly even with minor tolling rules for children. Early action preserves monitor strips and gives our experts time to analyze them thoroughly. Free consultations make immediate advice risk-free.
How do I get started with a Hagerstown birth injury lawyer?
Call (443) 909-2792 or complete our secure form for a free case review. We can meet virtually or travel to you in Washington County. Our contingency fee means you pay nothing unless we recover for your child. You have carried this burden long enough—let our fetal acidosis attorneys shoulder the legal fight.