Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), also known as "birth asphyxia," is a condition that occurs when the brain is deprived of the necessary supply of oxygen to continue normal function. It can occur at any time of life, but the term is most frequently used in reference to birth injuries which can leave the child with permanent brain damage or which may be fatal. According to the Florida Neonatal Neurologic Network, HIE affects 20 out of every 1,000 full-term births and 60% of live premature births.
If your baby suffered from mild or severe HIE as a result of preventable labor & delivery problems, come to The Tolson Firm, LLC for help. Our skilled HIE lawyers represent the rights of the injured and believe that your family should not be forced to pay the price for a doctor's negligence.
Call us at (404) 846-8800 or visit our office today for a consultation and to allow us to begin work on your claim.
Some of the most common symptoms associated with HIE include:
Once symptoms are detected, HIE is typically confirmed via a CT scan, MRI scan, echocardiography, or ultrasound. Additional tests such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), electroencephalogram (EEG) may be used to supplement these findings.
Conditions of HIE will vary depending on whether the infant experiences mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. Brain cells will usually begin dying within several minutes of the onset of HIE, and the damage is often irreversible. Fatality rates are high, and those who survive are often afflicted by conditions such as cerebral palsy or mental retardation.
Effects of HIE may include:
Doctors have a duty to monitor for complications associated with HIE during pregnancy, during labor and delivery, and during the postpartum period after the baby is born, as well as take certain precautions to mitigate these risks.
Common causes and risk factors associated with HIE include:
Brain cooling has gained widespread recognition as an effective treatment to halt the damage caused by cerebral hypoxia, but it must be initiated within 6 hours of birth. If a lack of proper fetal heart tracing or other errors on the part of nurses or doctors caused your child's HIE or allowed it to persist longer than necessary, you likely have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
If your child developed HIE due to negligent medical care, you may be able to pursue compensation for a wide range of damages including:
When your child faces a life of suffering from severe medical conditions caused by HIE, it is advisable to retain legal representation as early as possible. A skilled HIE attorney from our firm will stand by you throughout the process of pursuing compensation, working tirelessly to maximize the amount you receive in a settlement. We have been named among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Georgia for four consecutive years, and have litigated dozens of multi-million dollar cases to a successful resolution.
Contact an Atlanta birth injury attorney if your baby suffered hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy during birth and you want to learn whether you have grounds for a lawsuit.