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Newborn Resuscitation Injury Lawyer
Experienced Birth Injury Lawyers for Negligent Infant Resuscitation in Ohio and Kentucky
Suppose a baby struggles to breathe at birth. In that case, the medical team must act quickly to perform neonatal resuscitation, whether that’s clearing amniotic fluid, providing supplemental oxygen, or using other techniques to stimulate breathing.
When these resuscitation efforts are delayed or performed incorrectly, newborns can suffer serious and devastating birth injuries, including brain damage, cerebral palsy, and developmental delays. If your child was harmed due to improper resuscitation, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
At TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm, our Covington and Cincinnati newborn resuscitation injury lawyers are dedicated to helping families across Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky when birth injuries result from medical negligence. If your child received preventable injuries or died as a result of improper newborn resuscitation practices (or a lack thereof), our dedicated legal team is here to fight for the compensation your family deserves. Contact us today by calling (800)-698-4054 to set up a free consultation.
What is Newborn Resuscitation?
Newborn resuscitation is a medical procedure used to help babies who struggle to breathe on their own after birth. In the delivery room, medical professionals must quickly assess whether the baby immediately shows signs of breathing and healthy blood flow. This can be determined by using techniques such as the Apgar scoring system.
If the need for infant resuscitation is immediately apparent, doctors and nurses must act fast to clear the baby’s airway and use positive pressure ventilation to help the baby breathe.
Some infants may also require chest compressions or advanced resuscitation techniques if their heart rate is dangerously low. Factors such as advanced maternal age, low gestational age, complications during labor, or oxygen deprivation can increase the chances that a newborn will require resuscitation.
When early intervention is delayed or performed incorrectly, serious birth injuries can occur. If medical mistakes caused harm to your child, our Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati birth injury lawyers at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm are here to help.
When is Newborn Resuscitation Necessary?
The moments immediately following delivery are crucial, and doctors and nurses must carefully assess the baby’s vital signs, including the baby’s heart rate, breathing effort, muscle tone, and skin color, to determine if resuscitation procedures are necessary. If a newborn is not breathing effectively, medical professionals must take immediate interventions to clear the baby’s airway, including stimulation, oxygen support, and in severe cases, advanced resuscitation procedures like intubation or chest compressions.
Resuscitation may be necessary due to a variety of maternal, fetal, and delivery-related risk factors:
Maternal Medical Conditions
- Gestational diabetes – Can lead to macrosomia (large birth weight), hypoglycemia, or respiratory distress in the newborn.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis in pregnancy – DKA can have severe effects on the fetus, including low oxygen levels, increasing the risk of birth asphyxia.
- Placenta previa – When the placenta covers the cervix, it can cause significant bleeding, affecting the baby’s oxygen supply.
- Preeclampsia or eclampsia – Can result in fetal distress and a need for immediate intervention.
- Infections during pregnancy – Conditions like chorioamnionitis or maternal sepsis can impact the baby’s health at birth.
Complications Related to the Birth Canal and Delivery Process
- Prolonged labor or obstructed labor – May lead to fetal distress and insufficient oxygen supply.
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction – These interventions can sometimes lead to trauma requiring immediate newborn care.
- Shoulder dystocia – A condition where the baby’s shoulders become stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone, delaying delivery and potentially leading to oxygen deprivation.
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) – Often results in premature birth, where the baby’s lungs, heart, and other organs may be underdeveloped.
Fetal Conditions and Complications
- Premature birth – Premature babies (born before 37 weeks of gestation) often have underdeveloped lungs and may struggle to breathe independently.
- Meconium aspiration syndrome – If the baby inhales meconium-stained amniotic fluid, it can lead to breathing difficulties and require resuscitation and immediate suctioning.
- Birth asphyxia – A lack of oxygen before, during, or just after birth can cause severe complications, requiring immediate intervention.
Umbilical Cord Issues
- Umbilical cord prolapse – When the umbilical cord comes out before the baby, it can get compressed and restrict blood and oxygen flow.
- Umbilical cord compression – Can occur due to a tight nuchal cord (wrapped around the baby’s neck) or knots in the cord, leading to reduced oxygen supply.
- Placental abruption – Premature separation of the placenta can cut off the baby’s oxygen and nutrient supply, requiring rapid resuscitation efforts.
Newborn’s Vital Signs and Respiratory Distress
- Low heart rate (bradycardia) – If the baby’s heart rate is too low, resuscitation may be required to restore normal circulation.
- Abnormal pH levels in baby’s blood – Acidic blood due to oxygen deprivation may indicate the need for immediate intervention.
- Weak or absent baby’s vital signs – If the baby is unresponsive or has low Apgar scores, resuscitation procedures must be initiated.
- Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) – Common in premature babies, this condition occurs when the lungs lack surfactant, making it difficult for the baby to breathe.
Delivery and Postnatal Conditions
- Severe fetal anemia – A lack of red blood cells can cause hypoxia (oxygen deficiency).
- Neonatal infection (sepsis) – Some newborns may struggle with breathing due to infections acquired before or during birth.
- Congenital heart defects – Some heart abnormalities may prevent proper circulation, requiring immediate intervention.
- Perinatal hypoxia-ischemia – A condition where the baby does not receive enough oxygen and blood flow to the brain and organs.
- Use of anesthesia or sedatives in the mother – Medications given to the mother during labor may depress the baby’s respiratory drive.
What Does NRP Mean in Medical Terms?
NRP stands for Neonatal Resuscitation Program, which is a training program that teaches medical providers how to perform infant resuscitation in emergencies. This program outlines the proper steps for neonatal resuscitation, including assessing a newborn’s condition, clearing airways, and providing breathing assistance if a baby fails to breathe independently after birth.
In cases involving a high-risk pregnancy, fetal monitoring is crucial in detecting distress before delivery, as well as avoiding placental abruption. Abnormalities in fetal monitoring strips may indicate oxygen deprivation, increasing the likelihood that a newborn will require immediate resuscitation. When healthcare professionals are properly trained in NRP, they can respond quickly and effectively to prevent severe birth injuries.
Potential Infant Resuscitation Injuries
Errors or delays in infant resuscitation can lead to serious birth injuries, ranging from physical injuries, such as fractures or nerve damage, to life-altering neurological injuries like cerebral palsy and other brain injuries. When a newborn does not receive adequate oxygen at birth, conditions like birth asphyxia and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) can develop, and the failure to perform proper resuscitation techniques can further increase the risk of harm. These long-term health implications often require extensive medical care, therapy, and ongoing support.
If a medical provider’s negligence led to these injuries, families may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim to seek justice and compensation for their child’s suffering.
Common Causes of Neonatal Resuscitation Injuries
Some of the more common causes of newborn resuscitation injuries that our birth injury lawyers at TLF see include:
- Inadequate training or experience of medical staff – When healthcare providers lack proper expertise in infant resuscitation, they may make critical errors that lead to birth injuries.
- Failure to follow standard protocols – If a doctor failed to administer neonatal resuscitation in a timely manner, it can result in oxygen deprivation and permanent damage.
- Defective or inappropriate resuscitation equipment – Malfunctioning tools or improper use of life-saving devices can cause improper resuscitation and worsen birth trauma.
- Slow or insufficient response during emergencies – When medical professionals do not act quickly enough to provide oxygen, chest compressions, or other necessary interventions, newborns can suffer severe complications.
- Neonatal resuscitation errors – Missteps in airway management, oxygen delivery, or monitoring can result in long-term injuries.
If neonatal resuscitation errors harmed your child, whether due to medical negligence or equipment failure, the experienced birth injury lawyers at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm are here to help your family seek justice.
Signs Your Newborn May Have Been Injured
If newborn resuscitation is not performed correctly, it can lead to serious complications and injuries. While resuscitation is often life-saving, improper technique, excessive force, or delays in providing necessary interventions can result in short-term and long-term health issues for the baby.
For example, if a baby struggles with persistent breathing issues, it could indicate lung damage from excessive ventilation pressure or improper intubation. Infant seizures, abnormal movements, or weak muscle tone may suggest permanent brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation or trauma during resuscitation. Other signs of potential injuries obtained during the resuscitation process include:
- Visible bruising or swelling, particularly on the face, head, or chest
- Feeding difficulties, such as trouble latching or swallowing
- Newborn exhibiting a high-pitched cry, excessive fussiness, or irritability
- Severe jaundice or abnormal organ function
- Fluctuating heart rate, irregular breathing, or poor circulation
If any of these signs are present, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical evaluation, and if medical negligence is suspected, consulting a birth injury attorney may be necessary.
Pursuing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit for Neonatal Resuscitation Errors
Parents of children who suffer birth injuries due to improper newborn resuscitation may have the right to pursue a medical malpractice claim to seek compensation for their child’s medical needs and future care. If resuscitation errors led to brain damage, cerebral palsy, or other long-term disabilities, families could face significant future costs for ongoing medical treatment, assistive devices, and therapies such as occupational therapy and physical therapy to improve their child’s quality of life.
Experienced birth injury attorneys–like ours at TLF–can help parents investigate whether medical negligence occurred by reviewing medical records, consulting experts, and determining if proper resuscitation protocols were followed. A successful claim can provide financial relief for past and future expenses, ensuring the child receives the necessary care and support for their development.
Why Choose TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm for Your Birth Injury Claim?
Choosing the right law firm for your child’s birth injury case is crucial, and at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm, we have the experience and dedication needed to fight for your family. Our team of attorneys has a proven track record of securing compensation for families affected by personal injury, long-term disability, or wrongful death due to medical negligence.
We provide compassionate representation with every case we take on, understanding the emotional and financial toll a birth injury can bring. With a local presence and offices in Cincinnati, OH, and Covington, KY, we are committed to helping families throughout Ohio and Northern Kentucky seek justice.
If your child was harmed due to improper resuscitation at birth, rely on TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm to pursue justice and obtain the financial resources necessary for your child’s future well-being.
How We Can Help
At TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm, we understand the challenges families face after a traumatic birth, which is why we offer a free consultation to discuss your case. During this initial meeting, our birth injury lawyers will listen to your story, review medical records, and assess how the resuscitation process may have contributed to your child’s injuries.
Our thorough case evaluation will determine whether medical personnel failed to provide proper care during resuscitation efforts and if you have grounds for a claim. From there, we provide constant support and guidance throughout the entire legal process, from filing claims to settlement negotiations to courtroom representation, if necessary.
Call Our Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati Newborn Resuscitation Error Lawyers at TLF Right Away
If your child suffered harm due to neonatal resuscitation errors, you deserve answers and justice. At TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm, our Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati medical malpractice lawyers are here to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation your family needs.
Medical negligence during birth can lead to devastating, lifelong consequences, but you don’t have to face this battle alone. With decades of combined experience handling all types of personal injury, medical malpractice, and birth injury matters throughout Kentucky and Ohio, our team is dedicated to holding negligent medical providers accountable and ensuring your child gets the care they deserve.
To speak with an experienced newborn resuscitation injury lawyer on our team, call us toll-free at (800)-698-4054 or send a message online for a free consultation and take the first step toward holding negligent medical providers accountable for your child’s birth injury.
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We are happy to offer a free consultation to evaluate your case. If you hire us as your legal counsel, we will represent you on a contingency-fee basis. You will pay no attorneys’ fees unless we recover financial damages.