Every second counts when a newborn is struggling to breathe. In the delivery room, medical staff are trained to respond quickly when a baby shows signs of distress. Most of the time, the procedures go smoothly. But when neonatal resuscitation is delayed, performed incorrectly, or skipped altogether, the consequences can be devastating.
If your baby suffered a birth injury and you suspect a mistake was made during resuscitation, you may have legal options. Contact Latona Law for a free legal consultation to learn whether your case qualifies for a medical malpractice claim in Pennsylvania.
What Is Neonatal Resuscitation and Why Is It Critical?
Neonatal resuscitation is the process of helping a newborn breathe or regain a regular heartbeat immediately after birth. The need for it can arise from a variety of complications during labor, such as oxygen deprivation, a difficult delivery, or premature birth.
The procedure can involve simple stimulation, suctioning fluid from the airway, providing oxygen through a mask, or in more serious situations, chest compressions or medications. Every step in this process must be performed in a specific sequence and within moments of birth.
The goal is to restore oxygen to the baby’s brain and body. Even a short delay can result in permanent injury, such as cerebral palsy, developmental delays, or in severe cases, death. That is why the American Academy of Pediatrics developed clear guidelines that all delivery teams are expected to follow.
Common Mistakes Made During Neonatal Resuscitation
Unfortunately, some birth injuries are the result of preventable mistakes made in the critical first minutes of life. In many Pennsylvania birth injury cases, the following errors are often cited:
- Failure to recognize that the baby was in distress before birth
- Lack of proper equipment or trained staff ready at delivery
- Improper use of oxygen or delayed response when the baby was not breathing
- Performing the wrong steps in the wrong order or skipping steps entirely
- Inadequate documentation of what happened during those first few minutes
Sometimes these errors occur because of poor communication between nurses and doctors. Other times, the hospital may not have followed standard procedures or failed to anticipate the need for advanced care.
Regardless of the cause, when a baby is injured due to errors in resuscitation, families deserve answers.
How These Mistakes Become Legal Cases in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, parents have the right to file a medical malpractice claim if their child was harmed by negligent care. This includes injuries that occur as a result of mistakes made during neonatal resuscitation.
To succeed in a birth injury lawsuit, four elements typically need to be proven:
- The medical provider had a duty to provide competent care
- That duty was breached by failing to meet accepted medical standards
- The breach directly caused harm to the newborn
- The child and family suffered measurable damages as a result
These cases often rely on expert testimony from neonatal specialists, as well as careful review of labor and delivery records. An experienced attorney can help gather evidence, build the legal argument, and negotiate with hospitals or insurance companies on your behalf.
Why Choosing the Right Law Firm Matters
At Latona Law, we focus exclusively on birth injury cases, which means we understand both the legal process and the medical complexities involved. Our team has worked with families across Pennsylvania whose lives were turned upside down by delivery room errors.
When we take on a case involving neonatal resuscitation errors, we look at every detail. We ask questions that hospitals sometimes avoid:
- Was there a clear plan for a high-risk delivery?
- Did staff follow the correct resuscitation protocol?
- Was help called quickly enough if the baby was not breathing?
- Are the records consistent with what the family experienced?
We know what signs to look for, and we are ready to fight for the answers and justice you deserve. Schedule a free legal consultation to find out if you may have a claim.
Talk to a Pennsylvania Birth Injury Lawyer Today About Neonatal Resuscitation Errors
Birth injuries caused by resuscitation mistakes are preventable, and families should not be left to carry the burden alone. If your child was diagnosed with a brain injury, developmental delay, or another serious condition and you believe a delivery room error played a role, you may be entitled to compensation.
Contact Latona Law today for a free legal consultation. We will listen to your story, review your medical records, and help you determine the next step. Let us stand by your side as you seek the truth and the care your family deserves.