Hospital baby naming conventions may be causing medical issues

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Legally reviewed by:
Steven R. Davis and John A. Davis, Jr.
August 4, 2023

Although many new parents have a name picked out for their baby from before their baby was born, some parents in the Houston area wait to see what they’re having before picking out a name. That means that there are lots of babies in the hospital who don’t have a name yet. And that may lead to medical negligence or a doctor’s or nurse’s mistake.
Many new parents consider names for their new baby for quite a while, or occasionally an infant needs extra help when they are born and are brought to the ICU before they are named. When this happens, many hospitals use Babygirl or Babyboy followed by their last name to temporarily name them. This can cause issues for medical providers who do not pay attention to the names. There are potential errors that can occur that can be very serious. These include giving the wrong medication to the baby, the wrong breast milk and some babies are even given to the wrong parents. A negligent physician or other medical provider who is too rushed to pay attention to the name can easily cause a serious injury in the newborn.
If a new parent believes their baby was injured because of a negligent medical provider, they may want to speak with a legal professional skilled in medical malpractice. An attorney can review the medical records and consult with medical experts. Compensation may be available for unexpected medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages.
Conventional hospital baby naming conventions may be causing injuries to babies. It is important to hold these medical providers responsible for their negligence so that they don’t hurt another family.
Source: washingtonpost.com, “‘Babyboy, babygirl’ hospital naming conventions may be cause of mix ups“, Ariana Eunjung Cha, July 13, 2015

John A. Davis, Jr.

EXPERTLY REVIEWED BY

John A. Davis, Jr. and Steven R. Davis

August 4 2023

Steven R. Davis and John A. Davis, Jr. are experienced attorneys at Davis & Davis, a law firm that specializes in medical malpractice cases in Texas. With a deep commitment to justice that guides their ethical approach, Davis and Davis have dedicated their careers to helping victims of medical negligence. They and their team continue to advocate for clients, despite the challenges posed by Texas's cap on recoverable damages in malpractice lawsuits. Davis & Davis pride themselves on their extensive experience in the field and their readiness to meet clients across the United States.

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