Birth Asphyxia and Oxygen Deprivation: When Pediatric Medical Negligence Causes Infant Brain Damage or Death in Florida
Few medical emergencies are as time-sensitive as a newborn being deprived of oxygen at birth. Birth asphyxia, also known as oxygen deprivation, occurs when a baby does not receive adequate oxygen before, during, or immediately after delivery. When recognized promptly, medical professionals can intervene and prevent permanent harm. Tragically, when healthcare providers fail to act quickly, oxygen deprivation can result in severe brain injury or infant death. A failure to prevent or treat birth asphyxia is a devastating form of pediatric medical malpractice. When negligence during labor, delivery, or neonatal care causes a child’s death, Florida law allows families to...