Winning Birth Injury Cases in Portland Since 2010
Meconium aspiration syndrome is a birth injury that is caused by negligence or omissions on the part of medical care providers. If your newborn was injured as a result of meconium aspiration, call Angel Law, P.C. for an experienced Portland birth injury lawyer to review your case, help you determine the cause, and decide if there are grounds for legal action.
Please call (503) 862-8666 or contact us online to discuss your case and learn about your legal options.
What Is Meconium?
Meconium is a dark green fecal substance (stool) produced in an infant’s intestines prior to birth. In normal cases, a newborn baby will pass meconium during the first day or few days of his/her life. However, when an infant becomes distressed during the labor or birthing process, the unborn baby can pass meconium inside the womb. This poses a serious threat to the baby. When an infant passes meconium stool inside the womb, the meconium mixes with the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. He or she can then aspirate (breathe) the meconium/amniotic fluid mixture into his or her lungs; this is known as meconium aspiration syndrome, or MAS. While MAS is often not life-threatening, it can lead to a number of serious complications and, if it is not treated properly, it could jeopardize the health and life of your newborn.
What Causes Meconium Aspiration?
Meconium aspiration is caused by fetal distress, including insufficient oxygen and other stressors that affect the baby in the womb or during birth. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals are responsible for monitoring infants for signs of distress and responding properly. Failure to do so often constitutes negligence.
What does this mean for you? If your baby suffered complications as a result of meconium aspiration syndrome, including meconium aspiration pneumonia or meconium aspiration syndrome brain damage, you may have the right to file a claim against a negligent delivery room doctor, nurse, midwife, or another person or party who is liable.
Damages Caused by Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
When babies are in fetal distress, they may discharge meconium (stool) prior to birth. If meconium is present in the amniotic sac or birth canal, there is a danger of the baby aspirating it, which can cause a wide variety of complications. When the medical staff fails to act quickly, meconium aspiration syndrome may result and cause injury to the baby.
Birth injuries caused by meconium aspiration may include:
- Hypoxic brain injuries
- Cerebral palsy
- Blocked airways
- Persistent pulmonary hypertension
- Pneumonia
- Other serious birth injuries
- Wrongful death
A newborn with meconium aspiration syndrome may be at risk for serious complications and lasting damage. When the injury was caused by medical negligence and failure to provide prompt medical attention to mitigate the risks, you may be entitled to compensation for your baby’s medical care and future medical needs.
Compensation for Your Baby’s Medical Care Needs
Doctors often try to avoid accepting responsibility for meconium aspiration syndrome and other birth injuries. Our Portland birth injury lawyer, Attorney Patrick Angel, will review your baby’s medical records to determine the cause of the injury and advise you about the possibility of recovering compensation. The initial consultation is always free, so there is no risk to learning about your options.
If your baby was injured due to meconium aspiration, call (503) 862-8666 for a consultation.