Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Attorney

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Attorney

Childbirth should be a time of great joy, when parents meet their long-awaited child. This time can become one of difficulty, however, if the child experiences meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). Occurring in roughly 5% to 10% of all births, according to John Hopkins Medicine, MAS can lead to severe complications and even death if left untreated.

Sometimes MAS is an unavoidable tragedy. Other times, however, it is the result of a healthcare provider providing substandard care during pregnancy, labor, and/or delivery. If your child suffered complications from MAS as a result of medical malpractice or negligence, do not delay in seeking representation from an experienced meconium aspiration syndrome attorney.

Retain a Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Lawyer

If your child experienced MAS due to poor medical care, you may have a case for filing a birth injury lawsuit. Contact personal injury attorney Susan E. Loggans to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation to review your options.

Our firm operates on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you do not pay anything unless we help you secure a winning verdict.

Overview of Chicago Birth Injury Lawyer

About Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
What to Do If Your Baby Experiences Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

About Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

Meconium aspiration syndrome, or MAS, is when a newborn baby’s lungs fill with meconium (first feces) and amniotic fluid, a mixture that exits the body during labor and delivery. This situation leads to fetal distress due to a lack of oxygen.

Fetal Distress & MAS Symptoms

Signs of fetal distress that can indicate MAS include:

  • Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (brown or dark green in color)
  • Respiratory distress
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Limpness or decreased fetal movement

MAS Risk Factors

The chances of MAS may increase with factors like:

Sometimes these risk factors are unavoidable. Other times, however, malpractice or negligence from medical professionals can lead to MAS developing in the first place, delaying detection and treatment for MAS, and worsening complications from this condition.

MAS Complications

Health issues that may arise from MAS include:

  • Air leak syndrome (ALS)
  • Breathing problems
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Chronic lung disease or other permanent lung damage
  • Death
  • Developmental delay
  • Permanent brain damage
  • Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN)
  • Pneumonia

When MAS complications are the result of negligence or malpractice, parents may have grounds to file a lawsuit.

Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Burden of Evidence in Birth Injury Lawsuits

People filing medical malpractice claims (plaintiffs) have burden of evidence.

In practical terms, that means that parents filing in a MAS case must prove the following in a court of law:

  • There was a standard of care that the healthcare provider was expected to provide.
  • The healthcare provider did not meet the accepted standard of care.
  • Injury resulted from the healthcare provider’s actions or inaction.
  • The injury caused significant physical, emotional, and/or financial harm.

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Damages

Damages awarded in severe cases may include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Emotional pain and suffering
  • Quality of life decrease
  • Loss of wages

Statute of Limitations in Birth Injury Cases

The statute of limitations for filing birth injury cases, including those involving MAS, vary by jurisdiction.

In the State of Illinois, the statute of limitations is usually:

  • 8 years after a child’s birth injury
  • 22 years after a birth injury resulting in disability
  • No limitation after birth injuries resulting in mental or physical incapacitation

What to Do If Your Baby Experiences Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

Parents of children who experienced MAS are advised to:

  • Collect evidence in the form of video, photos, and more.
  • Document all financial burdens resulting from the injury.
  • Document non-financial records of medical care.
  • Avoid talking with insurance companies.
  • Contact a law firm right away.

Find the Right Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Attorney with Susan E. Loggans & Associates

Has your child suffered complications from meconium aspiration syndrome as a result of medical negligence or malpractice? Do not delay in seeking legal representation so you can get compensation. You also will be saving other parents and their children from receiving substandard care from the medical experts who did not provide the right standard of care to your own child.

Looking for a MAS lawyer? Choose the team with a winning record in medical malpractice cases: Susan E. Loggans & Associates. Our expert team will schedule a free case evaluation when you call (312) 588-9773 or fill out our online contact form.