Maryland Attorney for Infant Grunting While Breathing from Birth Injury

It is abnormal to see an infant grunt every moment they need to take a breath. In some cases, an infant grunting while breathing can be a symptom of a health issue that may have resulted from a birth injury. Under these circumstances, a negligent doctor could be responsible for the injuries suffered by a newborn. If your newborn child is experiencing difficulty breathing due to e birth injury, you should consult with an experienced Maryland attorney for infant grunting while breathing from a birth injury.

At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, our legal team is committed to working with victims of birth injuries that are suffering due to the actions of a negligent medical practitioner. We can help you build your case to pursue the compensation you need to handle your child’s injuries. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your medical malpractice claim, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291. You may also contact the firm online.

Birth Injuries Responsible for Infant Grunting While Breathing in Maryland

Hearing your child struggle to breathe can be a startling experience for the parent of a newborn. Finding the cause of infant grunting is vital as it could help your child get the medical treatment they need to recover. the following is a list of birth injuries that can explain why a child suffers from grunting while breathing.

Group B Strep Infection

Before a child is born, the medical practitioner overseeing the pregnancy should ensure that the mother was tested for any infections that may pass to the child, like group B strep. If a doctor fails to perform a blood test to examine a mother for strep, the doctor could be liable if an infant also contracts the infection.

A group B strep infection has many signs and symptoms that a parent should look out for if they notice their child has difficulty breathing. For example, a child that has trouble breathing may also have issues with recurring fevers. There are other signs and symptoms of group B strep:

  • Bluish skin
  • Frequent seizures
  • Limpness
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Unusual heart rate or blood pressure

Group B strep is not the only type of infection that can pass onto a child and cause additional medical issues. For example, if group B strep or another infection is not timely diagnosed, it could cause a child to develop meningitis. Meningitis can cause a number of issues like sensitivity to light or muscle stiffness.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a condition that occurs because a child was deprived of oxygen for an extended period of time. HIE can result in brain damage, whether a child was wholly cut off from oxygen or if the child was only receiving minimal oxygen. Due to a loss of oxygen, a child can develop cerebral palsy, which can also cause an infant difficulty while breathing.

Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a medical condition that causes the glands in the lungs to thicken. These glands are responsible for the production of sweat and mucus, which means a buildup could cause an infant to struggle to breathe. Additionally, an infant may also experience wheezing, frequent coughing, and many other symptoms that could impair a child’s breathing.

There are other medical conditions or circumstances that could explain why a child has difficulty breathing, like folic acid anemia. If you need assistance getting started on a birth injury claim, you should speak with an experienced Maryland birth injury attorney.

When to File a Maryland Birth Injury Lawsuit for Infant Grunting while Breathing

A potential plaintiff of a birth injury lawsuit should be aware that they only have a certain amount of time to file suit with a court of law due to the statute of limitations. the statute of limitations dictates the length of time that a plaintiff has to file a civil case with a court of law. However, the timeframe provided is not uniform across all types of civil cases. the subject matter of the case and the details of the case will play a role in determining the filing deadline.

A plaintiff in a birth injury lawsuit in Maryland must file their lawsuit within five years of the date of the injury. However, it may take some time for a parent to notice that their child is behaving strangely due to an injury at birth. Fortunately, Maryland law provides a plaintiff with three years to file a birth injury lawsuit if the injury was not discovered immediately. This means that even if the injury were discovered two years after birth, a potential plaintiff would still have three years to file.

If you are uncertain about how the statute of limitations may affect your potential case, you should speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

Speak with Our Experienced Maryland Attorney for Infant Grunting While Breathing from Birth Injury

If your infant was injured due to the negligence of a medical practitioner, consult with an experienced Maryland lawyer for infant grunting while breathing from a birth injury. At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we possess decades of experience handling complex birth injury lawsuits, and we welcome the opportunity to represent you in your potential case. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your options, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291. Our online submission form can also be used to contact us.