Welcoming parents with compassion and clarity is essential. The Waldorf fetal acidosis lawyers Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton understand how frightening it is to learn that a lack of oxygen harmed your newborn. We have spent decades investigating medical mistakes and forcing negligent providers to take responsibility.
A former client said it best:
“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.
If you suspect your child’s injuries are linked to fetal acidosis, call (443) 909-2792 now or fill out our secure form for a free, no-obligation consultation with our Waldorf fetal acidosis attorneys, Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton. We’ll review your records, explain your legal options in plain language, and start building a path toward the justice and resources your family deserves at no upfront cost to you.
What Is Fetal Acidosis?
Fetal acidosis is a condition in which excess acid accumulates in a baby’s bloodstream because oxygen is cut off during labor. When a fetus’s pH falls below roughly 7.35, cells begin to fail and organs suffer damage.
Doctors track fetal heart rate and may run an umbilical cord blood gas to confirm the diagnosis. Untreated acidosis progresses quickly to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, or even death, making rapid intervention critical.
What Causes Fetal Acidosis During Childbirth?
Medical teams can usually prevent fetal acidosis with attentive care. When they do not, avoidable errors often include:
- Delayed Emergency C-Section
A timely cesarean is the standard response to persistent fetal distress. Waiting even minutes after clear warning signs can cause brain damage. - Umbilical Cord Problems
A compressed, prolapsed, or nuchal cord starves the fetus of oxygen. Failure to reposition the mother, supply oxygen, or deliver immediately is negligence. - Misread Fetal Heart Monitor
Continuous monitoring should alert staff to decelerations. Ignoring abnormal patterns leaves the baby hypoxic. - Placental Insufficiency
Conditions such as preeclampsia or placental abruption demand heightened surveillance and swift delivery. Overlooking these red flags prolongs oxygen loss. - Improper Use of Pitocin or Other Induction Drugs
Excessive contractions reduce placental blood flow. Hospital staff must adjust or discontinue medication the moment distress appears.
Every scenario above reflects a lapse in the accepted standard of care, making resulting injuries legally actionable.
Uncommon Fetal Acidosis Scenarios
Rare events still cause devastating harm when providers react too slowly:
- Maternal Hypotension or Anesthesia Errors – A sudden blood pressure crash can halt fetal oxygen delivery.
- Undetected Uterine Rupture or Placental Abruption – Catastrophic emergencies require immediate C-section.
- Untreated Maternal Infection – Severe chorioamnionitis inflames the uterus and compromises oxygen exchange.
- Prolonged Second Stage or Shoulder Dystocia – Extended compression or failed instrumental delivery increases acid buildup.
- Post-birth Negligence in the NICU – Inadequate ventilation or failure to treat neonatal anemia perpetuates acidosis after delivery.
These cases prove that any serious oversight, from prenatal care to newborn treatment, can leave a child permanently injured.
Signs and Consequences of Fetal Acidosis
Abnormal fetal heart tones, meconium-stained fluid, or a sudden drop in fetal movement during labor all warn that the baby is suffocating. After birth, low Apgar scores, seizures, or difficulty breathing confirm the crisis. Blood gas tests showing pH < 7.0 are direct evidence.
Prolonged acidosis often leads to HIE, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, and developmental delays. Long-term care for a severely brain-injured child can cost millions of dollars over a lifetime and impose enormous emotional stress on parents who must modify homes, cut work hours, and plan for lifelong therapy.
What Should I Do if I Suspect a Birth Injury in Waldorf?
Act quickly and methodically:
- Seek Specialized Medical Care – A pediatric neurologist can diagnose HIE or other damage.
- Request Complete Records – Obtain fetal monitor strips, operative notes, and NICU charts from UM Charles Regional Medical Center or any facility involved.
- Write a Timeline – Document conversations, treatment delays, and post-delivery complications while memories remain fresh.
- Consult a Birth Injury Attorney – Maryland’s statute (§ 5-109) generally requires filing within five years of injury or three years of discovery, with special rules for minors. Early legal advice preserves crucial evidence.
- Do Not Sign Premature Settlements – Hospitals may offer quick payouts that fall short of lifetime costs. Let counsel review all paperwork first.
How Can a Waldorf Fetal Acidosis Lawyer Help My Family?
A Southern Maryland fetal acidosis attorney at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea will:
- Investigate Thoroughly
We secure all records and partner with obstetric, neonatal, and fetal-monitoring experts to pinpoint deviations from the standard of care. - Build a Compelling Malpractice Claim
Our team obtains the mandatory certificate of merit, proves breach, causation, and damages, and files in the proper venue—often Charles County Circuit Court. - Navigate Maryland Procedure
We handle pre-suit arbitration requirements, track every deadline, and keep your case moving. - Calculate Full Damages
Economic losses cover medical expenses, therapy, equipment, and lost future earnings. Non-economic damages, capped at $890,000 in 2024, compensate pain and suffering. We also seek punitive damages if provider conduct was egregious. - Negotiate or Try the Case
Hospitals retain aggressive defense teams. Having Waldorf birth injury attorneys at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea levels the playing field and often leads to substantial settlements. If they refuse fairness, we are seasoned trial lawyers ready for court. - Work on Contingency
You pay nothing up front. We advance costs and collect fees only when we obtain compensation, reducing financial stress for your family.
Why Choose Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. for Your Waldorf Case?
The Waldorf birth injury legal team at our firm offers unmatched credentials:
- Proven Results – Multi-million-dollar recoveries for brain-injured infants, including a $7 million award for delayed C-section oxygen deprivation.
- Statewide Reputation – Maryland Super Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and listings in Best Lawyers in America.
- Local Commitment – Waldorf is an hour from our Baltimore headquarters, yet many staff members live in Southern Maryland and regularly meet clients near home.
- Hospital Insight – We know UM Charles Regional’s policies and can identify systemic failures quickly.
- Personal Attention – Maryland fetal acidosis lawyer Jonathan Schochor personally reviews each birth injury file. Waldorf birth injury attorney Kerry Staton guides families through every decision.
- Comprehensive Support – In-house medical investigators translate complex records, while paralegals handle insurance paperwork so you can focus on your child’s recovery.
- Client Praise – Parents consistently commend our empathy, responsiveness, and life-changing results.
Getting Help – Contact Us Today
No parent expects to search for a Waldorf fetal acidosis attorney, yet swift action now can secure your child’s future. Call (443) 909-2792 or complete our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will listen, explain your options plainly, and move quickly before legal deadlines expire.
You have endured a traumatic experience, but you do not have to face the aftermath alone. Let the birth injury lawyers at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. shoulder the legal burden and fight for the resources your family needs. We are ready to stand beside you and pursue the justice your child deserves.