Birth injury cases arise when preventable medical errors during pregnancy, labor, or delivery cause harm to a newborn or mother. While childbirth always carries inherent risks, liability may arise when providers fail to respond appropriately to clear signs of fetal or maternal distress.

Common issues include delayed C-sections, failure to monitor fetal heart tracings, improper use of delivery tools, and prolonged labor without escalation of care. These situations can result in conditions such as oxygen deprivation, brain injury, cerebral palsy, and long-term neurological impairment.

One year ago, in March 2025, a St. Louis County jury awarded a landmark $48.1 million verdict to a St. Louis family represented by Gunn | Slater attorneys Amy Gunn and Erica Slater. The jury found that a Mercy Clinic obstetrician, Dr. Daniel McNeive, allowed a prolonged labor to continue despite signs of fetal distress. The case involved more than 12 hours of pushing and evidence that an earlier C-section should have been performed. The child suffered permanent brain injury and now requires lifelong care. The verdict stands as the largest medical malpractice award for a birth injury case in Missouri history. 

Cases like this often turn on detailed medical records, fetal monitoring strips, and expert testimony explaining whether the standard of care was met. Hospitals and insurers frequently dispute both timing and causation, making careful documentation essential.

Birth injury litigation is not only about identifying what went wrong, but also about understanding the long-term medical and financial needs that follow.

Gunn | Slater represents families across Missouri and Illinois in complex birth injury and medical negligence cases involving catastrophic harm. Contact our firm today for a free consultation.