Neonatology Expert Witnesses

The best in the field of neonatology to assist the legal community

Neonatology is a subspecialty of pediatrics concerned with the medical care of newborn infants, especially those who are premature or have other medical problems. Neonatologists often treat infant patients who are ill or require special medical care due to low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, congenital malformations (birth defects), sepsis, or birth asphyxia. They typically work in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) at hospitals or children’s hospitals. Neonatologists may also serve as general pediatricians who provide care to newborns in the hospital where they are based.

Becoming a neonatologist requires completing a medical degree (MD or DO), followed by a three-year residency in pediatrics and a three-year fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine. During this fellowship, physicians receive specialized training in caring for newborn infants, including premature babies and those with medical complications. Board Certification in neonatology is overseen by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP).

The field of neonatology also includes Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNP) – advanced practice nurses who specialize in neonatal care. They are considered mid-level providers and often share the workload of NICU care with resident physicians.

The role of the neonatologist as an expert witness

Because neonatologists work in critical care for highly vulnerable patients, medical errors can significantly affect the rest of the patient’s life. Neonatology malpractice may include failing to diagnose a medical condition in a newborn, failure to properly monitor vital signs, improper use of medical equipment, or inadequate communication with parents and other providers about the baby’s medical condition. In these situations, a Board-Certified neonatologist can explain the applicable standard of care and offer a professional opinion on whether the standard of care was met or breached.

In addition, neonatologists can serve as important expert witnesses in birth injury cases and other matters involving a newborn's injury. The neonatologist can assess the extent of the injuries to a newborn and offer their medical opinion on causation. A neonatologist can also describe the long-term prognosis for an injured newborn, the cost of medical care for their injuries, and the effects on both the baby’s and the parents’ quality of life.

Decades of experience helping America’s finest birth injury attorneys

The team at Rieback Medical-Legal Consultants has been helping birth injury and medical malpractice attorneys find top-quality medical experts for decades. We understand the complex nature of neonatology cases and the importance of having an experienced, Board-Certified expert witness. If you need a neonatologist for a legal matter, contact us for a free case summary review.