Infant Wrongful Death Attorney

Compassionate Legal Help After The Loss Of A Baby

There are no words that can fully capture the pain of losing a baby. When that loss happens around labor, delivery, or shortly after birth, and you are left wondering whether something went wrong with the medical care, it can feel impossible to know where to turn.

At Edwards & Ragatz, P.A., we help families look for answers when they suspect that medical negligence contributed to an infant’s death. Our attorneys listen carefully to what happened, review medical records, and talk with you about your options. Your first consultation is free, and we strive to make every step as clear and respectful as possible.

Our firm has represented injured patients and grieving families in Jacksonville and throughout Duval County since 2009. With more than 150 years of combined trial experience, our team understands how to investigate complex medical situations and pursue accountability when the law supports a claim.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

What Is Infant Wrongful Death?

Infant wrongful death occurs when a baby dies due to another party’s negligence or wrongful act. In the context of birth injuries, this often involves medical malpractice by a doctor, nurse, inst hospital, or other healthcare provider. These cases may arise from errors made during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or neonatal care.

Under Florida law, a wrongful death claim may be brought when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, and that failure directly causes the death of an infant. These cases are complex and emotionally challenging, often requiring detailed medical evidence and expert testimony. Our Jacksonville infant wrongful death lawyer can help families determine whether medical negligence played a role and whether a claim is appropriate.

Common Causes of Infant Wrongful Death (Related to Birth Injury)

Birth injuries are often preventable when medical professionals follow proper procedures and respond appropriately to complications. Tragically, errors can and do happen. Some of the most common causes of infant wrongful death related to birth injury include:

• Oxygen deprivation (birth asphyxia): Failure to monitor fetal distress or delayed emergency intervention, such as not performing a timely C-section, can deprive a baby of oxygen, leading to fatal brain damage.
• Failure to diagnose or treat maternal infections: Untreated infections during pregnancy or labor can be transmitted to the baby, sometimes with fatal consequences.
• Improper use of delivery tools: Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors can cause severe head trauma, brain hemorrhaging, or spinal injuries.
• Medication errors: Incorrect dosages or improper administration of labor-inducing drugs like Pitocin can cause dangerous contractions, fetal distress, or uterine rupture.
• Delayed or missed C-section: When warning signs are ignored or action is delayed, a necessary C-section may not be performed in time to save the infant.
• Failure to monitor fetal heart rate: Electronic fetal monitoring is critical during labor. Misreading or ignoring abnormal heart rate patterns can result in fatal outcomes.
• Negligent neonatal care: Errors in resuscitation, temperature regulation, infection control, or respiratory support after birth can lead to infant death.

If your child’s death may be connected to any of these issues, a Jacksonville infant wrongful death lawyer can help investigate what went wrong and identify who may be legally responsible.

Recovering Compensation from Infant Wrongful Death

While no legal claim can ease the emotional pain of losing a child, a wrongful death lawsuit can help relieve the financial burdens caused by medical negligence and provide a sense of justice.

Under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, families may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses related to pregnancy, labor, delivery, and neonatal care
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support
• Mental pain and suffering of surviving parents
• Loss of future financial contributions (where applicable)

In some cases, punitive damages may also be available if the healthcare provider’s actions were particularly reckless or egregious.

At Edwards & Ragatz, P.A., we carefully evaluate each case to pursue the full compensation your family is entitled to under Florida law. Our goal is to shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on healing.

Infant Wrongful Death FAQs

Who can file an infant wrongful death claim in Florida?

In Florida, wrongful death claims are typically filed by the personal representative of the infant’s estate on behalf of surviving parents and family members.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Most medical malpractice wrongful death claims in Florida are subject to strict statutes of limitations. In many cases, you have two years from the date of death, but medical malpractice rules can shorten or complicate deadlines. Speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible is critical.

Do I need proof of medical negligence?

Yes. These cases require showing that a healthcare provider breached the accepted standard of care and that this breach caused your infant’s death. Medical experts are often essential to proving this.

What if the hospital denies wrongdoing?

Hospitals frequently deny liability. A skilled Jacksonville infant wrongful death lawyer can gather evidence, consult experts, and challenge these defenses on your behalf.

How much does it cost to hire your firm?

Edwards & Ragatz, P.A. typically handles infant wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Why Families Turn To Our Firm

Parents who contact us after the wrongful death of a baby are not looking for legal jargon; they are looking for a team they can trust with something deeply personal. We know you may be unsure whether you even want to pursue a case. Our role is to give you honest information, not pressure.

Edwards & Ragatz, P.A. has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients in serious injury and medical malpractice cases. Our results include a $228 million judgment and a $178 million medical malpractice verdict, which was one of the largest verdicts of its kind in the country that year. These outcomes show that when cases need to be tried, we are prepared to stand in court and present difficult medical evidence in a clear way.

Our leadership reflects that same level of dedication. Attorney Thomas S. Edwards Jr. is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, a distinction that recognizes his trial skill in complex civil cases. Managing partner Eric C. Ragatz is AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, which is a top peer-review rating that reflects legal ability and ethical standards. For a family facing questions about an infant’s death, these credentials matter because they speak to our ability to handle challenging litigation against hospitals and insurers.

We are also known for how we treat our clients. We combine determined representation with genuine compassion, taking time to understand your baby’s story and your family’s needs. Our attorneys in Jacksonville offer evening, weekend, and virtual meetings when needed, and we provide frequent updates so you are never left wondering what is happening with your case. When you work with us, you can expect clear explanations, prompt responses to calls, texts, and emails, and a team that respects both your time and your grief.

To speak privately with an attorney about your baby’s death, call (904) 295-1050.