The Silver Spring fetal acidosis attorneys at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. have been fighting for injured children since 1984. Founding partners Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton lead a team that has recovered more than $1 billion for victims of medical malpractice. We understand how terrifying it is to hear that a lack of oxygen harmed your newborn.
Our lawyers shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on your child’s healing. Although our main office is in Baltimore, we routinely serve families in Downtown Silver Spring, Four Corners, White Oak, and Takoma Park, and we can meet you virtually or in person within minutes of I-495.
Call our Silver Spring fetal acidosis lawyers for a free, confidential consultation at (443) 909-2792, or contact us online 24/7. We’re ready to listen, explain your options, and fight for the justice and resources your family deserves, and you pay nothing unless we win.
What is fetal acidosis and how can it harm my baby?
Fetal acidosis occurs when a baby’s blood pH falls below 7.35 because oxygen levels drop during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Even brief hypoxia can trigger metabolic changes that injure delicate brain tissue. Consequences may include hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, seizures, or organ damage. In severe cases, the condition is fatal. Parents hear the term “acidosis” and fear the worst; knowing the risks helps you demand answers and the best possible care.
What are the common causes of fetal acidosis in newborns?
Fetal acidosis usually happens when something blocks or reduces the baby’s oxygen supply:
- Umbilical cord problems such as compression, true knots, prolapse, or a nuchal cord can suddenly cut off oxygen.
- Placental abruption or insufficiency limits the transfer of oxygen and nutrients, often linked to preeclampsia or maternal hypertension.
- Prolonged or obstructed labor—shoulder dystocia, fetal macrosomia, or cephalopelvic disproportion can stress a baby without timely C-section backup.
- Multiple births increase the chance that one twin’s cord or placenta will fail to deliver adequate oxygen.
- Rare maternal crises like uterine rupture, severe hypotension, or massive hemorrhage deprive the fetus of blood flow within minutes.
Each scenario demands rapid intervention. Without it, acid builds in the bloodstream and permanent injury may follow.
What are the warning signs of fetal acidosis (fetal distress) during labor?
Obstetric teams rely on real-time clues that a baby is struggling:
- Abnormal fetal heart rate patterns—bradycardia, tachycardia, or late decelerations signal oxygen deprivation.
- Meconium-stained amniotic fluid shows a stressed infant may have passed stool in utero.
- Decreased fetal movement late in pregnancy or during labor often means the baby is conserving energy because oxygen is low.
- Maternal red flags—stalled labor, excessive contractions from Pitocin, or unexplained bleeding warrant immediate evaluation.
Trained professionals should act the moment these red lights flash.
How should doctors prevent and treat fetal acidosis?
Good obstetric care stops acidosis before damage sets in. Providers must:
- Give maternal oxygen and IV fluids to boost placental blood flow.
- Reposition the mother to relieve umbilical cord compression.
- Order an emergency C-section without delay if distress persists.
- Stabilize the newborn with therapeutic hypothermia, breathing support, and seizure control when acidosis is confirmed.
Prompt action can mean the difference between a healthy life and lifelong disability. When these steps are skipped or delayed, malpractice may be to blame.
How can medical negligence cause fetal acidosis and birth injuries?
Fetal acidosis alone is not proof of malpractice, but many injuries stem from preventable errors:
- Failure to monitor fetal heart-rate tracings or maternal vitals.
- Delayed C-section after obvious distress.
- Over-use or misuse of Pitocin causing hyper-stimulation of the uterus.
- Ignoring alarms or abnormal test results, including absent scalp-pH checks.
- Neglecting maternal conditions such as infection or high blood pressure that endanger oxygen flow.
When Silver Spring healthcare providers deviate from accepted standards and your child suffers acidosis and injury, our lawyers build a malpractice claim to hold them accountable.
Can I sue for fetal acidosis injuries? What are my legal options?
Yes. Maryland law allows parents to file a malpractice claim if negligence caused fetal acidosis and related harm. A successful case proves four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
Our Silver Spring birth-injury lawyers gather medical records, consult neonatologists, and file a Certificate of Merit with the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office before pursuing settlement or trial. We work on a contingency fee, no payment unless we win, so justice is accessible regardless of your finances. Lawsuits not only secure resources for your child’s care but also push hospitals to improve safety.
What compensation can we recover for a birth-injury lawsuit in Maryland?
Families may pursue:
- Economic damages—past and future medical bills, therapy, adaptive equipment, home-care costs, and parents’ lost income.
- Non-economic damages—pain, suffering, and loss of life’s pleasures, subject to Maryland’s statutory cap.
Punitive damages are rare but possible for egregious misconduct. Our attorneys work with economists and life-care planners to calculate a lifetime of needs so your child’s future is secure.
How long do I have to file a fetal acidosis lawsuit in Maryland (statute of limitations)?
Generally, Maryland requires filing within five years of the injury or three years after discovery, whichever is sooner. For a birth injury, the child typically has until age 21 to sue, but crucial evidence can disappear quickly. The mandatory HCADRO step also takes time. Contact our Silver Spring fetal acidosis attorneys immediately to preserve your rights.
Why do I need a lawyer for a fetal acidosis birth injury case?
Birth-injury litigation blends complex medicine and law. We “speak doctor,” collaborating with board-certified experts to pinpoint errors and refute hospital defenses. Hospitals and insurers deploy seasoned legal teams; we match, and often surpass, their resources, having secured record-setting verdicts such as $7 million for a child who suffered HIE after a delayed C-section. Because we work on contingency, hiring us adds strength without adding bills, allowing you to focus on your baby instead of paperwork.
What makes Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. stand out?
- Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton each bring four decades of trial experience and have been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America.
- Our firm maintains in-house medical investigators and routinely collaborates with national neonatology experts.
- We have achieved numerous multi-million-dollar settlements for Montgomery County families facing lifelong care costs.
- Clients praise our responsiveness—whether meeting in Silver Spring, at Holy Cross Hospital, or via secure video, we are there when you need us.
This blend of medical insight, courtroom skill, and compassionate service sets our Silver Spring birth-injury attorneys apart.
Have other families like ours found justice?
“I had a great experience with Mr. Jim Cardea and his team. They were very knowledgeable of my situation and provided great service to me and my family from beginning to end. I highly recommend them for any medical malpractice lawsuit. Satisfaction guaranteed!” – Kiantay P.
“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 should I do next?
If you suspect negligence caused your child’s fetal acidosis, don’t wait. Call (443) 909-2792 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. Our main office at 1211 St Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21202 is a short drive down I-95, and we gladly visit Silver Spring families or meet virtually.
Your family deserves answers, support, and justice. Let our experienced Silver Spring fetal acidosis lawyers secure the resources your child needs and hold negligent providers accountable today.