New Jersey Birth Asphyxia Lawyers

Secure Damages That Safeguard Your Child’s Quality of Life

The birth of a child should be one of the most exciting and momentous occasions in a new parent’s life. Unfortunately, an inexperienced, fatigued, or negligent obstetrician can quickly turn this moment of joy into a heartbreaking and traumatic experience.

Medical staffers have many important responsibilities during the birthing process. One of their most important duties is monitoring a baby’s condition and checking for signs of oxygen deprivation and fetal distress. When a medical professional fails to uphold this standard of care, a baby could suffer a devastating and fatal medical condition known as birth asphyxia.

turn to a Birth Injury firm with over 50 years of experience

Contact the New Jersey birth asphyxia attorneys at The Donnelly Law Firm if your baby has been harmed by the actions of a negligent medical professional. Our award-winning legal team has over 50 years of collective experience and the resources to effectively investigate and represent your claim in Summit, NJ and across the state.

With our assistance, you can recover compensatory damages that safeguard your child’s quality of life. As leaders in the burgeoning field of birth injury litigation, our mission is to help each client recover a settlement or verdict that facilitates their child’s ongoing recovery process. Likewise, we also want the outcome of every case to inspire institutional changes that protect other babies and families from suffering similar tragedies.

If you’re ready to pursue justice, contact The Donnelly Law Firm at (800) 398-1866. We can guide you through each phase of your legal journey.

What is birth asphyxia?

Birth asphyxia is responsible for approximately 900,000 fetal deaths each year, making it the fifth leading cause of infant mortality in the world. This medical condition occurs when a baby’s brain and other organs are deprived of oxygen before, during, or immediately after birth.

The lack of oxygen triggers a cell injury known as necrosis, which can lead to temporary or permanent brain damage, heart failure, and paralysis. Sadly, most cases of birth asphyxia are considered preventable incidents and the tragic result of medical negligence.

Recognizing the Signs & Symptoms of Birth Asphyxia

Birth asphyxia can lead to the development of debilitating and permanent medical conditions, including:

• Cerebral palsy
• Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
• Seizure disorders
• Various learning disabilities

Ideally, a medical professional should be able to recognize the early signs of birth asphyxia simply by monitoring the baby’s vital signs. If the baby starts exhibiting hints of fetal distress or oxygen deprivation, the doctor needs to reevaluate their existing plan and take immediate steps to protect the mother and child.

For example, umbilical cord complications are a leading cause of birth asphyxia. If a physician fails to monitor the baby’s distress, they may not realize that an emergency c-section is necessary. Consequently, if the baby is left in utero for too long, it may suffer birth asphyxia.

Common causes of birth asphyxia include:

Advancements in prenatal care have reduced the risk of birth asphyxia during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Obstetricians in the United States are trained to use the most advanced treatments and services in the world. Quite frankly, there is no excuse for the annual number of birth injuries and fatalities associated with birth asphyxia. Unfortunately, to err is human, so it’s vital that new parents carefully observe their newborns after the birthing process is complete.

Parents and doctors need to evaluate a newborn for the following symptoms of birth asphyxia: