Improper Monitoring During Labor: A Common Cause of Birth Injury Lawsuits
Why Fetal Monitoring Matters
During labor, continuous monitoring of the fetal heart rate is essential to evaluate the baby’s oxygenation and overall well-being. Non-reassuring heart rate patterns—like bradycardia, late decelerations, or variability changes—may signal fetal distress or impending hypoxia.
When labor and delivery teams fail to detect or act on these signs, the consequences can be devastating:
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
Cerebral palsy
Seizures and developmental delays
Stillbirth or neonatal death
🚩 Common Monitoring Failures in OB Malpractice Cases
| Failure Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Misinterpretation of FHR patterns | Providers may overlook late decelerations, tachycardia, or minimal variability. |
| Delayed escalation | Failure to notify physicians or perform an emergency C-section when needed. |
| Inadequate documentation | Missing or incomplete records of fetal heart tracings and staff response timelines. |
| Over-reliance on outdated technology | Use of intermittent auscultation when continuous electronic monitoring was indicated. |
| Pitocin use without close monitoring | Oxytocin-induced contractions can increase fetal distress if not carefully managed. |
These errors violate the standard of care and may justify a medical negligence claim.
Case Example: Permanent Brain Injury
Consider a scenario where a nurse notes repetitive late decelerations over a 2-hour period but fails to notify the physician or recommend a cesarean. The baby is born with low Apgar scores, requires resuscitation, and is later diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to birth-related asphyxia.
In such cases, medical-legal consultants at Lexcura Summit play a crucial role in determining the timeline of clinical decisions, evaluating the standard of care, and assisting attorneys in building a robust, evidence-based case.
How Lexcura Summit Supports Birth Injury Litigation
At Lexcura Summit, we work with plaintiff and defense attorneys across the U.S. to analyze labor and delivery records for missed warning signs. Our expert team includes OB nurses, legal nurse consultants, and physicians with decades of frontline experience.
Our Services Include:
✅ Medical Chronologies – Highlight key timestamps of fetal heart rate changes, interventions, or delays
✅ Narrative Summaries – Clinician-written overviews that clearly explain negligence
✅ Life Care Plans – Future cost estimates for children with permanent injury
✅ Rebuttal & Defense Reports – Balanced, litigation-ready expert reports
✅ Rush Delivery – 2–3 day options for urgent legal deadlines
We ensure that all reports are HIPAA-compliant and delivered within our standard 7-day timeframe.
Attorneys: Build Your Case with Clinical Accuracy
Improper monitoring during labor is one of the most common and costly errors in obstetrics. Whether your case involves permanent neurological damage, wrongful death, or injury to the mother, Lexcura Summit provides trusted medical insight with legal clarity.
Contact Us
Let Lexcura Summit assist with your next OB malpractice case.
🌐 www.lexcurasummit.com
📞 (352) 703‑0703
