Questions?What Is a Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Settlement?
A meconium aspiration syndrome settlement is a financial agreement reached through a birth injury lawsuit. In these legal arrangements, money is paid to families of newborns harmed by MAS due to improper medical care.
Meconium aspiration syndrome occurs when a baby inhales a mixture of their first feces (meconium) and amniotic fluid during labor or delivery. This can cause severe respiratory complications and, in some cases, brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.
Meconium aspiration syndrome settlements help families cover the costs of ongoing medical care and other unexpected expenses.
Settlements are usually reached out of court, allowing families to access much-needed financial support as quickly as possible.
Working with an experienced meconium aspiration syndrome lawyer can help increase the likelihood of securing the money your family deserves.
The Birth Injury Justice Center works with top birth injury lawyers who can help families in all 50 states. Our legal partners have recovered over $962 million for families affected by preventable birth trauma, including MAS.
If you suspect your child’s condition could have been avoided, we may be able to help you seek a meconium aspiration syndrome settlement.
Get a free case review right now to find out if you may qualify.
Recent Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Settlements
When a newborn is harmed by MAS due to medical negligence, it can result in multimillion-dollar meconium aspiration syndrome legal compensation.
Reported meconium aspiration syndrome settlements and verdicts include:
- $14.5 million in Pennsylvania for severe brain damage caused by failure to properly address signs of fetal distress and thick meconium
- $4.1 million in New York for a hypoxic brain injury in a newborn whose lungs were filled with meconium
- $3.25 million in Massachusetts following a delayed C-section, despite signs of fetal distress and thick meconium
If your child suffered complications from MAS, you may be entitled to compensation, too. However, it’s important to understand that case values vary based on the unique circumstances of each situation.
The best way to find out how much your meconium aspiration syndrome settlement could be worth is to get a free consultation from a skilled legal professional.
Call the Birth Injury Justice Center at (800) 914-1562 or Click to Live Chat to find out if we can connect you right now.
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome and Medical Malpractice
When MAS occurs, delays in medical intervention or failure to monitor and address signs of fetal distress can lead to serious long-term health issues.
MAS-related health problems may include persistent pulmonary hypertension, lung infections, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
In cases when MAS could have been prevented, it might be considered medical malpractice.
Examples of meconium aspiration syndrome medical malpractice include:
- Delaying a necessary cesarean section, leading to oxygen deprivation and brain damage
- Failing to monitor for signs of fetal distress, like abnormal heart rates or meconium-stained amniotic fluid, which can signal a risk of MAS
- Ignoring maternal risk factors, like high blood pressure or infections, which increase the chance of meconium aspiration
- Improperly managing neonatal resuscitation, causing further complications when meconium is present in the baby’s airways
- Neglecting to clear the baby’s airways, allowing meconium to remain in the lungs and cause respiratory distress or infections
In severe cases, meconium aspiration syndrome can even lead to death if not treated promptly.
If you believe your baby’s MAS may be the result of birth injury medical malpractice, an experienced personal injury attorney may be able to fight for the money your family deserves.
Do I Qualify for a Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Settlement?
If medical negligence played a role in harming your child, you may qualify to file a birth injury lawsuit and seek a meconium aspiration syndrome settlement.
These parties may qualify for meconium aspiration syndrome settlements:
- Parents: The child’s birth (or adoptive) parents
- Legal guardians: Those with legal responsibility for the child
MAS can lead to respiratory problems due to lung inflammation, developmental delays from oxygen deprivation, and, in severe cases, seizures if there is brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen during birth.
If you notice signs of long-term harm from MAS, it’s important to consult your child’s doctor. You may also wish to consider seeking legal advice from a reputable birth injury law firm.
You don’t need an official MAS diagnosis to pursue a meconium aspiration syndrome settlement.
An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help determine if you qualify. Their legal team will guide you through the entire process without added stress.
If you have questions about whether you may be eligible for meconium aspiration syndrome legal compensation, connect with one of our experienced labor and delivery nurses for free.
Beth has more than 18 years of specialized experience in labor and delivery. She’s available to hear your story and help you figure out the cause of your child’s injury — and what you can do next.
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Call or chat with a caring, experienced nurse right now — we’re standing by to get you help and answers.
Steps to Pursuing Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Settlements
Seeking a meconium aspiration syndrome settlement involves several important steps. Knowing the legal process can help families understand what to expect when filing an MAS lawsuit.
These are the general steps to seeking meconium aspiration syndrome settlements:
- Free case review: First, you’ll get a free legal consultation to determine if you could be eligible for meconium aspiration syndrome legal compensation.
- Collect evidence: If you qualify, your legal team will gather evidence to build a solid case. This may include medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions.
- File the lawsuit: Next, your MAS lawyer will file your birth injury lawsuit in the proper court, making sure all deadlines are met.
- Negotiate a settlement: Finally, your attorney will work with the other side to negotiate a meconium aspiration syndrome settlement as quickly as possible.
Your MAS lawyer will continue fighting for your family in court if a settlement isn’t agreed upon. However, most birth injury lawsuits settle out of court.
By working with an experienced birth injury lawyer, you can focus on what matters most — taking care of your newborn.
Meanwhile, your legal team will fight for the meconium aspiration syndrome settlement your family deserves.
How Much Are Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Settlements?
Several key factors affect how much compensation you may receive from meconium aspiration syndrome settlements.
These factors may impact meconium aspiration syndrome settlements:
- Costs for ongoing medical care, including treatments and therapy
- Emotional and physical suffering your family experiences
- Severity of your child’s condition and long-term impact
- State where your baby was born, as laws differ
- The level of medical negligence or errors involved
The Birth Injury Justice Center works with skilled personal injury lawyers nationwide who know what it takes to get the compensation your family deserves.
Get a free case review to see how we may be able to help you secure meconium aspiration syndrome legal compensation.
When to Pursue Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Settlements
You should consider seeking a meconium aspiration syndrome settlement as soon as you suspect your child’s MAS might be due to medical mistakes.
Acting quickly is crucial due to a strict legal deadline, called the statute of limitations. Once the window of time in your case passes, you won’t be able to file a lawsuit for your child.
Each state has a birth injury statute of limitations. Therefore, you should consult an attorney who understands the laws in your area. An experienced birth injury lawyer can take action to file your lawsuit in time.
Don’t wait to find out your legal options — call us right now at (800) 914-1562.
Get Legal Help for Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
The Birth Injury Justice Center understands that your child’s well-being is your top priority. Meconium aspiration syndrome settlements can provide the financial support you need for your child’s lifelong care.
We’ve partnered with experienced birth injury lawyers who can help families in all 50 states. If you qualify, one of our skilled legal partners will guide you through the process and fight for maximum compensation.
Our legal network has secured more than $962 million for families affected by preventable birth injuries, and they may be able to help your family, too.
Contact us right now at (800) 914-1562 or fill out our case review form to find out if we can help you provide a brighter future for your child.
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Settlement FAQs
Can a baby die from swallowing meconium?
Yes, a baby can die from swallowing meconium if it leads to severe complications like a lung infection or lack of oxygen.
While most babies recover with proper treatment, serious cases of meconium aspiration syndrome can be life-threatening.
Can I sue for meconium aspiration?
Yes, you may be able to sue for meconium aspiration if medical negligence contributed to your baby’s condition.
Delayed treatment or failure to properly manage the situation could lead to serious harm. If your child suffered from MAS, we may be able to help.
Call the Birth Injury Justice Center right now at (800) 914-1562 to talk with one of our on-staff labor and delivery nurses.
How long do babies with meconium aspiration stay in the NICU?
Babies with mild cases of MAS may only need a few days, while more severe cases can require several weeks of care.
The length of time a baby stays in the NICU for meconium aspiration syndrome depends on the severity of the condition.
How much does it cost to pursue meconium aspiration syndrome legal compensation?
You should not have to pay upfront when you work with a top birth injury lawyer to pursue compensation.
Our legal partners work on a contingency fee basis and do not charge any hourly fees for their services. They only get paid if they secure compensation for you.
Get a free case review right now to see if we can connect you with a top birth injury lawyer near you.
Who pays out meconium aspiration syndrome compensation claims?
In most cases, the health care provider’s medical malpractice insurance pays for meconium aspiration syndrome settlements. However, it will depend on who is found to be responsible for your child’s MAS.
