What is HIE and How Can a Birth Injury Attorney Help?

Birth injuries can have far-reaching consequences for a child and their family. One of the most common birth injuries is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which occurs when an infant’s brain does not receive enough oxygen during labor or delivery. This lack of oxygen can lead to permanent damage, disabilities, and even death in some cases. In order to get the best possible outcome, it is important to seek help from a qualified birth injury attorney as soon as possible after diagnosis.

A birth injury attorney will be able to provide families with invaluable guidance throughout their legal journey. They will work closely with medical professionals to understand the full extent of a child’s condition and determine who may have been responsible for causing the injury.

Additionally, they will review any applicable insurance policies so that families are aware of all available options for compensation and other forms of assistance that may be available through government programs or private charities. Lastly, they will also ensure that any settlement offers are fair given the circumstances surrounding your case so you can make an informed decision about how best to move forward on behalf of your child's health and future well-being.

What is Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy?

It occurs when an infant’s brain does not receive enough oxygen during labor or delivery, resulting in injury to the brain. This can lead to a range of disabilities, from mild to severe, including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and more.

In addition, it can lead to long-term physical, emotional, and financial challenges for the affected family. And, unfortunately, this type of injury is often preventable. This is why it’s important to have a birth injury attorney in your corner if you believe your child suffered HIE as the result of medical malpractice.

What are the Common Causes of HIE?

The most common cause of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a lack of oxygen. This can occur due to umbilical cord issues, placental abruption (the placenta separates from the uterus before delivery), or maternal exhaustion during labor. Some of the other common causes include:

• Maternal infection: In some cases, maternal infection can lead to HIE.
• Medication errors: Medication errors or overdoses may affect the baby’s oxygen levels during labor and delivery, which can lead to HIE.
• Birth trauma: Trauma during birth (e.g., excessive force used to deliver a baby) can cause tissue damage, leading to HIE.

What Problems Can Occur from HIE?

HIE can cause a wide range of disabilities and long-term problems. This includes:

• Cerebral palsy: Since HIE affects nerve cells in the brain, this can lead to problems with muscle coordination and movement. Your child may have difficulty walking, writing, or other voluntary movements.
• Developmental delays: HIE can cause delays in language and cognitive development. Your child may struggle with learning new skills or understanding complex concepts.
• Seizures: Seizures are a common symptom of HIE, as it affects the electrical activity in the brain. These can range from mild to severe and may require medication to control them.
• Organ dysfunction: HIE can result in the malfunction of organs such as the heart, lungs, or kidneys. This can lead to long-term organ damage and other health problems.
• Behavioral and emotional issues: HIE can also lead to behavioral or emotional issues, such as autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression, or OCD.

How Can a Birth Injury Attorney Help?

A birth injury attorney can help families obtain the justice they deserve if their child was injured due to medical negligence. An attorney will review your case, determine who should be liable for the injury, and work with you to ensure that all responsible parties are held liable.

They will also work with you to secure the financial compensation necessary to cover your child’s medical expenses, any future care they may need, and other damages related to the injury.

If your child suffered HIE due to a preventable mistake, don’t hesitate to contact a birth injury attorney as soon as possible. They can help you fight for justice and get the compensation your family needs to move forward.

When a Lawyer Can Help a Family with a Birth Injury

A birth injury attorney can provide invaluable help and support to families who have suffered an HIE-related injury. Some of the circumstances in which an attorney can help are:

• Since a lack of oxygen is the most common cause of HIE, medical professionals must be diligent in monitoring for any signs that the baby is not receiving enough oxygen. If this does not happen, an attorney can help determine if negligence was to blame and work towards achieving justice.
• If HIE is misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all, the condition may worsen and lead to more serious complications. An attorney can help determine if a medical mistake occurred and make sure that all responsible parties are held liable for their negligence.
• Long-term physical or mental health issues can have a significant impact on the quality of life for both the child and their family. An attorney can help secure compensation to cover any necessary treatments, therapies, equipment, or other care that may be needed.

If your child has been injured due to negligence during delivery, don't hesitate to contact a birth injury attorney as soon as possible. They can provide invaluable advice and help you seek justice for your child's injury.

Conclusion

Oftentimes, families are not aware that the medical negligence which caused their child’s HIE-related birth injury is actionable. Without the guidance of knowledgeable and experienced HIE birth injury lawyers, they may not be able to identify the responsible parties or understand their legal rights.

A birth injury lawyer can investigate your case, determine who is at fault, and help you secure the compensation necessary to cover medical bills, future care costs, and other damages related to the injury.

The Injury Firm is one such law firm dedicated to helping families who have suffered a birth injury. Our attorneys can provide the legal guidance and representation you need, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you think your child may have been injured due to medical negligence.

Contact us today for more information!