Perinatal Asphyxia

Perinatal asphyxia is a medical condition caused by oxygen deprivation to an infant during labor and delivery. It can result in permanent damage to the brain of the newborn. This condition is also known as neonatal asphyxia or birth asphyxia. Brain damage to an infant can cause serious developmental disabilities such as learning disability, speech problems, cognitive disability, motor skill problems and emotional difficulties. Children with these injuries most often will need a lifetime of special care.

DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers in is dedicated to protecting the legal rights of infants and their families when perinatal asphyxia or fetal hypoxia is caused by medical malpractice. Our birth injury lawyers have the utmost knowledge, experience and resources available to ensure your case gets the best possible representation. We also consult with board certified medical experts from outside of the local area so your case will get a quality medical evaluation that is objective.

If your baby suffers from birth injuries caused by perinatal asphyxia caused by medical negligence, we can help. Call DeFrancisco & Falgiatano at 833-200-2000 today for a free consultation.

Fetal hypoxia or perinatal asphyxia is the result of oxygen deprivation. Oxygen gets to the fetus through the placenta and umbilical cord. If birth trauma disrupts the flow of oxygen to the fetus, brain injuries such as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy or cerebral palsy can occur.

Reasons for a lack of oxygen to the fetus include:

• Prolonged labor
• Umbilical cord compression or twisting
• Placenta rupture and other VBAC injuries
• Contractions too frequent and/or strong from overuse of Pitocin
• High or low blood pressure of the mother
• Pre-eclampsia or eclampsia

When a doctor, nurse or midwife fails to detect the possibility of oxygen deprivation to the fetus and an injury occurs, it may be considered medical malpractice. Medical professionals should use fetal monitoring during the birth. Nonreassuring fetal strips and evidence of bradycardia (decreased heart rate) can show that the fetus is not being oxygenated sufficiently. Failure to note and properly address this issue may mean the doctor, nurse or midwife is liable for your child's injuries.

In addition, medical providers may be responsible for failing to resuscitate a newborn or failing to appropriately monitor a newborn with pulmonary problems.

Any child who suffers a brain injury is likely to need significant ongoing assistance for the rest of his or her life. Our perinatal asphyxia / fetal hypoxia lawyers will help you obtain the compensation you will need for the care of your child, as well as compensation for their pain and suffering and other losses.

Our law firm has extensive experience handling perinatal asphyxia / fetal hypoxia and birth injury cases. If you believe you may have a case, call us or contact us online. Consultations are always free and you are never responsible for legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.