This page is for parents and family members who had a baby at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, at 420 34th Street in Bakersfield, Kern County, and who are now worried about how the delivery went or about how their child is developing. You may have been told that your baby needed oxygen, spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit, or has a weakness, a delay or a diagnosis you did not expect. You may simply have questions that nobody has had time to answer.
Bakersfield Memorial Hospital is a private nonprofit hospital. In its 2024 report to the state (HCAI), it is listed as part of Dignity Health, a member of CommonSpirit. The hospital's own website describes a Family Birth Center that offers care for both vaginal and cesarean births and delivers more than 3,000 babies a year. Most births there go well, and nothing on this page says otherwise.
Our goal is to explain, in plain language, what birth injuries are, what warning signs families notice, how an independent medical review of a delivery works, and what steps you can take now. Nothing here is a judgment about any hospital, doctor or nurse. It is general information to help you understand your options and your deadlines, so you can decide what is right for your family. It is not legal or medical advice.
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At a glance: Bakersfield Memorial Hospital
| Address | 420 34th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301 |
| County | Kern County |
| Health system / operator | Dignity Health, a member of CommonSpirit Health |
| Type of hospital | Private nonprofit hospital |
| Newborns in 2024 | 2,819 (report to the state, HCAI) |
| Licensed NICU beds | 31 |
| Main phone | 661-327-4647 |
| Hospital website | commonspirit.org/find-a-location/family-birth-center-dignity-health-memorial-hospital-3382 |
Sources: HCAI — 2024 Hospital Annual Utilization Report and the hospital’s own website.
Labor and delivery at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield, CA
According to the hospital's own website, the Family Birth Center at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital offers comprehensive obstetrics care for both vaginal and cesarean births, with anesthesia available on site, and its care team delivers more than 3,000 babies each year. The hospital's main phone number is 661-327-4647, and the hospital is located at 420 34th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301.
The hospital also cares for newborns who need extra help. According to the hospital's 2024 report to the state (HCAI), it cared for 2,819 newborns in its newborn nursery that year. The same report lists 31 licensed intensive-care newborn (NICU) beds and 621 NICU discharges in 2024. These are the hospital's own reported numbers, and they simply show the size of the program that serves families in Bakersfield and the surrounding parts of Kern County.
Families come to this hospital from across Bakersfield and Kern County. If you delivered there and have questions, you are not alone, and asking questions about a delivery is a normal part of understanding what happened to you and your baby.
Birth injuries families ask about after a difficult delivery
Birth injury is a broad term. It can mean harm to a baby before, during or shortly after birth, and not every such injury is preventable or caused by a mistake. One group of questions concerns hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a brain injury caused by too little blood and oxygen reaching the baby's brain. The Cleveland Clinic explains that it can follow problems in pregnancy or delivery, such as cord problems, placental abruption or uterine rupture, and that doctors may begin treatment, including cooling therapy, before a formal diagnosis is made.
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement, balance and posture. The CDC says it is the most common motor disability in childhood, that most cases (85 to 90 percent) are congenital, meaning they occur before or during birth, and that the specific cause is often unknown. The CDC also notes that lack of oxygen during birth is thought to cause only a small number of cases, which is one reason a careful medical review matters.
Other injuries families ask about include Erb's palsy, also called brachial plexus birth injury, in which the nerves of the shoulder and arm are stretched during delivery and the baby moves one arm less than the other; bleeding in the newborn brain; a fractured collarbone or skull; and infections such as group B strep. The CDC explains that most babies who develop group B strep disease in their first week are infected by the mother during delivery, and that testing during pregnancy and antibiotics during labor can help prevent it. Mothers can be hurt too, for example by heavy bleeding (hemorrhage) after delivery. Whether any of these was avoidable depends on the facts of each birth, which only a review of the records can show.
Warning signs of a birth injury in the first days, weeks and months
In the first days, signs that families and nurses may notice include a weak cry, trouble feeding or sucking, unusual floppiness or stiffness, bluish or gray skin color, seizures or jerking movements, trouble breathing, or a baby who is very hard to wake. The Cleveland Clinic lists several of these as signs of HIE. A baby who cannot move one arm as freely as the other may have a nerve injury. Any of these signs deserves a prompt medical evaluation.
In the first weeks and months, parents often notice that their baby does not follow faces or sounds, startles very little or very much, has trouble holding up the head, or seems stiff. The CDC describes signs in babies under six months such as the head lagging when the baby is picked up, a body that feels stiff or floppy, or legs that stiffen and cross when lifted.
Later, delayed milestones can be the first clue: not rolling over by about six months, not bringing the hands together, favoring one hand, or crawling in a lopsided way. The CDC points out that some children with these signs do not have cerebral palsy, and that a parent who is concerned does not need to wait for a referral to contact the early intervention program. Trust what you see, write it down with dates, and tell your pediatrician.
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Who may be responsible in a birth-injury claim?
When a family asks whether a birth injury could have been avoided, a review looks at everyone who took part in the care. Depending on the facts, that may include the hospital's nurses and other staff, the obstetrician, a midwife, an anesthesia provider, neonatal doctors, and the medical group that employs or contracts with them. A review does not assume that anyone did something wrong. It asks whether the care met accepted standards and whether any departure caused the injury.
It matters whether a provider is a hospital employee or an independent physician. Many obstetricians and other doctors have privileges at a hospital but work for their own practice or medical group. In that case, the claim may be directed to the doctor or the group, to the hospital, or to several of them. Sorting this out is part of the work of a lawyer and the medical experts, and you do not have to do it on your own.
Because Bakersfield Memorial Hospital is a private nonprofit hospital, the six-month claim that applies to public hospitals does not normally apply. Even so, strict deadlines still apply, and it is safer to get advice early.
How an independent expert review of a delivery works
A medical expert review begins with the records. Reviewers usually look at the prenatal chart, the labor and delivery notes, the fetal heart monitoring strips that show the baby's heart rate during labor, the Apgar scores given at one and five minutes after birth, the umbilical cord blood gas results, and the NICU notes that describe the baby's first days. Imaging such as an MRI of the baby's brain can show the pattern and timing of an injury. The Cleveland Clinic lists fetal heart monitoring, Apgar scores, cord blood and gas testing, and MRI among the tools doctors use for HIE.
Independent physicians, often in obstetrics, neonatology or pediatric neurology, read these records and explain in plain terms what happened and why. They look for what the medical team knew at each point, what was done, and how the baby responded. Their opinion may be that the care was appropriate and the injury was not preventable, and that is useful information for a family too.
A review takes time, and it is better to begin while records are complete and memories are fresh. It does not commit you to anything. It simply gives you real answers instead of guesses.
What to do now: steps for families after a difficult birth
First, take care of your child. Keep every appointment with the pediatrician and any specialists, and ask for referrals to therapy and to your regional center if there are delays. Write down the dates of the birth, what you were told, who told you, and how your child has developed since. Keep discharge papers, bills and any letters.
Second, request the records. You are entitled to your own and your baby's records, and the sections below explain how to ask Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. Ask for the complete chart, including the fetal monitoring strips, and for the baby's NICU chart if there was one. Do not wait for a lawyer to start this.
Third, talk to a lawyer who handles birth-injury cases soon, even if you are unsure. Deadlines in California can be strict and can differ for parents and for the child, and a short conversation can tell you where you stand. Many firms offer a free first consultation, and you should ask about fees before you decide. Please do not post details about the birth or the hospital on social media, and avoid signing papers from an insurance company before you have advice.
Support for your child while the case is reviewed
Your child's care should not wait for any legal decision. Early therapies, such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, can make a real difference for babies with motor or feeding problems. Ask your pediatrician what is appropriate for your child.
In California, children under three with delays or a risk of delay can be evaluated through Early Start, which is delivered by regional centers. For Bakersfield and Kern County, that is Kern Regional Center. Children with certain serious conditions may also qualify for California Children's Services (CCS), and families with limited income may qualify for Medi-Cal, which can help pay for therapy and equipment. Eligibility rules change, so ask each program directly.
No one can promise a result in a legal case. What we can say is that getting your child evaluated and supported now is good for your child whatever happens later.
Deadlines for a birth-injury case in California
California gives a child’s birth-injury case its own deadline. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 340.5, a minor must sue within three years of the wrongful act, but a child who was under six when it happened has until his or her eighth birthday if that is longer. For a baby hurt during labor or delivery, that usually means the eighth birthday. The clock runs from the act itself, not from the day the family learned what went wrong, and it is paused only in narrow cases of fraud or collusion. Parents’ own claims, and claims against a public hospital, can have much shorter deadlines, so it is safer to get advice early.
Before a medical malpractice lawsuit can be filed in California, the doctor or hospital must get written warning. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 364, the health care provider must receive at least 90 days’ notice of the intention to sue. No special form is required, but the notice must state the legal basis of the claim, the type of loss and the specific injuries suffered. Under § 364(d), if the notice is served within the last 90 days of the filing deadline, the deadline is extended 90 days from the date of service. The notice is a required step, and it is often the moment a case moves from questions to formal action.
What MICRA caps — and what it does not
California’s MICRA law limits one part of a medical malpractice recovery. Under Civil Code § 3333.2, as amended by AB 35, non-economic damages (pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life) are capped. In 2026 the cap is $470,000 for injury and $650,000 for wrongful death, and it rises every January 1 ($40,000 and $50,000 a year until 2033, then 2% a year). Separate caps can apply to doctors, hospitals and unaffiliated providers. Economic damages are not capped: lifetime medical care, therapy, equipment, home modifications and lost earning capacity can be recovered in full, and in a birth-injury case they are usually the largest part of the claim.
How to get the delivery records from Bakersfield Memorial Hospital
California law gives families a right to these records. Under Health and Safety Code § 123110, a patient or the patient’s personal representative — for a baby, a parent or guardian (§ 123105) — may inspect the records within five working days of a written request and is entitled to a paper or electronic copy, which the provider must send within 15 days after receiving a request that says which records are wanted. For a birth-injury review, ask for both charts: the mother’s labor and delivery record, including the fetal heart rate monitoring strips, and the baby’s newborn and NICU record.
To get your records from Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, contact its Medical Records (Health Information Management) department. According to Dignity Health's records page, the hospital offers a Patient Access Request Form (for your own records) and an Authorization to Disclose Form (to send records to someone else), in English and Spanish. The mailing address is 420 34th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301, and the department's listed phone number is (661) 541-0211. Ask for the complete labor and delivery chart, including the fetal monitoring strips, and your baby's newborn and NICU records, and keep a copy of your request and the date you made it.
The hospital’s medical records page →
Where a case from Bakersfield would be filed
A birth-injury lawsuit against a private hospital or doctor in Kern County would usually be filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Kern. According to the court's website, unlimited civil cases (those seeking more than $35,000) are filed at the Metropolitan Division's Metro Justice Building, 1215 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Where a case is filed depends on the facts and the defendants, and a lawyer can confirm the right court for your situation.
Superior Court of California, County of Kern, Metropolitan Division (Metro Justice Building) → — 1215 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Help for your child now: Early Start in Kern County
Early Start is California's early intervention program for babies and toddlers under three who have a developmental delay or are at risk for one. In Bakersfield and Kern County, Early Start is provided through Kern Regional Center, 3200 N. Sillect Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93308, phone (661) 327-8531. Kern Regional Center's Child Find page says that parents, medical providers or community agencies can ask for an evaluation, so you can call and ask for an Early Start evaluation for your child without waiting for a doctor's referral.
Key facts
- Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, at 420 34th Street in Bakersfield, is a private nonprofit hospital that is part of Dignity Health, a member of CommonSpirit.
- According to the hospital's 2024 report to the state (HCAI), it cared for 2,819 newborns in its nursery and had 31 licensed NICU beds and 621 NICU discharges that year.
- The hospital's own website says its Family Birth Center delivers more than 3,000 babies each year and offers care for vaginal and cesarean births.
- You have a legal right to your own and your baby's hospital records, and you can start asking for them today.
- California deadlines for birth-injury claims are strict, so talking with a lawyer early is the safest way to protect your child's options.
Questions parents ask
Can I file a birth-injury claim against Bakersfield Memorial Hospital?
Whether a claim is possible depends on the facts of your delivery, which only a review of the medical records can show. A birth-injury claim may be brought against a hospital, a doctor or both if the care fell below accepted standards and caused harm. A lawyer and an independent medical expert can review the records and tell you honestly whether a claim makes sense.
How long do I have to file a birth-injury claim?
California gives a child's birth-injury case its own deadline, and for a baby hurt during labor or delivery it usually means the child's eighth birthday. The clock runs from the act itself, not from the day the family learned what went wrong. Parents' own claims can have much shorter deadlines, and a notice of intent to sue must be sent to the provider first, so it is safer to get advice early.
Is Bakersfield Memorial Hospital a public hospital?
No. In its 2024 report to the state (HCAI), the hospital is listed as a non-profit corporation, part of Dignity Health, a member of CommonSpirit. The six-month claim that applies to county and University of California hospitals does not normally apply to a private nonprofit hospital, but other strict deadlines do.
What if my doctor did not work for the hospital?
Many obstetricians and other physicians are independent or work for their own medical group even when they deliver babies at a hospital. A claim can be directed to the doctor, the group, the hospital or more than one of them, depending on who provided the care. A lawyer can sort out who was responsible for which part of the care.
How do I get my fetal monitoring strips from Bakersfield Memorial Hospital?
Contact the hospital's Medical Records (Health Information Management) department, at (661) 541-0211, and complete its Patient Access Request Form. Ask in writing for the complete labor and delivery chart, including the fetal heart monitoring strips and the baby's NICU records. California law gives families the right to inspect and copy these records.
Does it cost anything to talk to a lawyer about a birth injury?
Many birth-injury law firms offer a free first consultation, and many take cases on a contingency basis, meaning fees are paid from a recovery. Ask about fees and costs before you decide. Talking with a lawyer does not commit you to filing anything.
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Other Kern County hospitals we cover
Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Birth Injury Lawyers — Beverly Law
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Related pages
Cerebral Palsy · Erb’s Palsy / Brachial Plexus Injury · HIE / Oxygen Deprivation at Birth · Statute of Limitations · MICRA Damages Cap · All California hospitals · California birth injury lawyers · Birth injury guides
Sources
- HCAI — 2024 Hospital Annual Utilization Report (final, October 2025)
- CommonSpirit / Dignity Health: Family Birth Center at Memorial Hospital (Bakersfield) — Labor and delivery services, more than 3,000 births a year, address and main phone
- CommonSpirit / Dignity Health Central California medical records — Records request forms, mailing address and phone for Memorial Hospital, Bakersfield
- HCAI Hospital Annual Utilization Report 2024 — 2,819 newborns in nursery, 31 licensed NICU beds, 621 NICU discharges, nonprofit control
- Superior Court of California, County of Kern: Civil and Small Claims — Unlimited civil cases filed at the Metro Justice Building, 1215 Truxtun Avenue
- Kern Regional Center: Child Find / Early Start — Early Start evaluation for children under 3, address and phone
- CDC: About Cerebral Palsy — Cerebral palsy causes, early signs and developmental warning signs
- CDC: About Group B Strep — Group B strep in newborns, screening and prevention
- Cleveland Clinic: Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) — HIE causes, signs, diagnosis (fetal monitoring, Apgar, cord gases, MRI) and cooling therapy
- Code of Civil Procedure § 340.5
- Code of Civil Procedure § 364
- Civil Code § 3333.2 (as amended by AB 35, 2022)
- Health and Safety Code § 123110 (patient access to records)
Beverly Law is an independent law firm. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or speaking for Bakersfield Memorial Hospital or Dignity Health, a member of CommonSpirit Health. Hospital facts on this page come from the public sources listed above.
Important: This page is general information about birth injuries and California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Beverly Law. Every case is different — talk to a lawyer about your own situation. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. No fees or costs unless we win. Last reviewed: 2026-09-18.