Maryland Attorney for Anoxia and Hypoxia Caused by Birth Injury
Anoxia or hypoxia are extremely dangerous conditions that can cause a newborn to suffer a severe birth injury. it is the obligation of a doctor to ensure that an infant does not suffer a birth injury caused by anoxia or hypoxia during delivery. However, if a doctor acts negligently or recklessly, this could result in a birth injury. If your child experienced anoxia or hypoxia during delivery and sustained a birth injury, you should consult with an experienced Maryland birth injury attorney for anoxia or hypoxia.
Rice, Murtha & Psoras is here to offer you the unique legal representation you need to begin your medical malpractice lawsuit against a negligent doctor or hospital. A child should not have to live with a birth injury that may affect them for the rest of their life due to a medical mistake. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential lawsuit, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291. You can also contact the firm online.
Anoxia and Hypoxia Birth Injuries in Maryland
Anoxia and hypoxia are both medical conditions that occur when a child experiences a lack of oxygen. Specifically, anoxia occurs when a child experiences a complete lack of oxygen that affects organs, muscles, or even an absence of oxygen in the blood cells. Anoxia can also affect certain areas of the body, like the brain, which can have a severe impact on a newborn.
Hypoxia is a medical condition that occurs when a child suffers from drastically decreased oxygen levels. Like anoxia, hypoxia can target one area of the body like an arm or leg.
It is important to understand how anoxia or hypoxia can affect a newborn. the following is a list of common birth complications that can lead to anoxia or hypoxia.
Birth Complications that Cause Anoxia and Hypoxia
Anoxia and hypoxia can occur under a variety of circumstances. For example, a child could experience anoxia and hypoxia if their umbilical cord becomes wrapped around their neck. An umbilical cord knot could become untangled as an infant moves around in the womb. However, if the umbilical cord forms a true knot, the doctor in charge of the delivery should speak with the mother regarding a cesarean section. Allowing a delivery to proceed without addressing an umbilical cord issue can make a doctor liable for medical negligence.
A prolapsed umbilical cord can also be responsible for anoxia or hypoxia. This condition occurs when the umbilical cord emerges from the cervix before the baby. As a result, an umbilical cord may compress and cut the child off from needed oxygen.
Additionally, a prolonged labor can also result in a child experiencing anoxia or hypoxia. If a child remains in the birth canal for an extended period of time, the child could suffocate and suffer brain damage or other injuries.
There are other birth complications that can result in a child losing oxygen during birth. To learn more about filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in Maryland, you should consult with an experienced Maryland lawyer for anoxia and hypoxia caused by birth injury.
When to File a Lawsuit for Anoxia and Hypoxia Birth Injuries in Maryland
Every civil lawsuit and even criminal cases are subject to the statute of limitations. the statute of limitations sets a timeframe where a potential plaintiff must file a lawsuit or risk being barred from pursuing their claim. the timeframe allowed by the statute of limitations is dependent upon a number of factors pertaining to the victim’s lawsuit.
It is important to note that a parent or guardian of an injured child has the ability to file a medical malpractice lawsuit on their behalf. If your newborn suffered brain damage or other injuries due to anoxia or hypoxia, the filing deadline for the case would be five years from the date of the injury. Note, however, that minors may be provided with additional time to file their lawsuit.
Additionally, if you were unaware that your child sustained a birth injury until weeks or months after birth, you will be provided with three years to file your lawsuit against a negligent medical practitioner.
It may seem puzzling why any state would place a limit on medical malpractice lawsuits. However, there are various benefits provided by the statute of limitations. For a plaintiff, a time limit will ensure that a plaintiff promptly pursues their claim. Several issues can arise if a plaintiff chooses to wait too long to file their lawsuit. For example, the plaintiff could lose valuable evidence, or the location of a witness needed to prove their case.
For a defendant, a time limit ensures the defendant will not have to wait years for a lawsuit that may never be filed.
If you are uncertain about the amount of time needed to file your malpractice claim, you should speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Our Committed Maryland Lawyer for Anoxia and Hypoxia Caused by Birth Injury
If your newborn was injured due to medical malpractice, you should consult with an experienced Maryland birth injury lawyer caused by anoxia and hypoxia. Birth injury lawyer Randolph Rice has over 20 years of experience, and he would like to use skills to fight for you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential lawsuit, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291. Our firm is also available online.