In many cases, doctors and nurses can prevent oxygen deprivation through a combination of alertness and correctly applied procedures. However, when hospitals fail to remain vigilant, babies pay the price in their very first minutes—affecting their quality of life permanently. If your child suffered from preventable oxygen deprivation at birth, it’s time to hold someone accountable.
It’s time to call Fieger Law.
Understanding Your Child’s Diagnosis and Long-Term Care Needs
Diagnosis and Immediate Treatment:
HIE can lead to mental and physical disabilities that sometimes cannot be determined until the child is 3 to 4 years old.
The severity of the damage depends on the length of time an infant goes without oxygen or experiences decreased oxygen. However, even a short time without air can lead to permanent and significant brain damage.
Impairments caused by HIE may include:
- Epilepsy
- Developmental delay
- Motor impairment
- Neurodevelopmental delay
- Cognitive impairment
- Cerebral Palsy
Medical professionals typically employ advanced diagnostic tools, including MRI and EEG scans, to assess brain function and detect signs of oxygen deprivation. These tests play a crucial role in early intervention, allowing medical teams to initiate treatments promptly.
Immediate treatment is critical to mitigating the severity of HIE at birth. Therapeutic hypothermia, a method of cooling the baby’s body temperature, is often used within hours of birth to reduce brain inflammation and minimize neurological damage. Additional interventions may include assisted ventilation to support respiratory function and medication to stabilize vital signs.
Long-Term Management and Care:
Children affected by HIE often require long-term care to optimize their quality of life. There are many therapies tailored to address developmental delays and physical impairments. Physical therapy focuses on improving motor skills and mobility, while occupational therapy enhances daily living skills and independence. Speech therapy aids in communication development, addressing challenges in speech and language acquisition.
In addition to therapies, medications may be prescribed to manage seizures, spasticity, or other associated conditions. Specialized equipment such as mobility aids, communication devices, and adaptive tools may also be necessary to support the child’s needs and facilitate participation in daily activities.
Unfortunately, the cost of long-term care can often be more than most families can afford without help. That’s why we recommend filing a compensation claim if you believe your child’s diagnosis was caused by healthcare provider negligence.
What is the Legal Process for HIE Claims?
The legal process following an HIE diagnosis can be overwhelming, but understanding your rights is crucial. Parents considering a claim should meticulously document medical records, including prenatal care, labor, and delivery details. These documents play a major role in establishing the timeline of events and determining liability.
Fault in HIE cases is often attributed to medical negligence or errors during childbirth. An experienced legal team like ours at Fieger Law can conduct a thorough investigation to identify substandard care or a healthcare provider’s failure to recognize and address fetal distress promptly. Throughout the legal process, parents can expect compassionate guidance and support as their case progresses, aiming to secure the compensation needed to provide for their child’s long-term care and future needs.
WHY FIEGER LAW?
If oxygen was cut off to your baby during delivery due to medical negligence, fragile brain tissue is destroyed. Brain damage leads to severe problems that take an emotional toll and require costly treatment, rehabilitation, and equipment for your child’s entire life. We can help you deal with those devastating effects. Our attorneys, led by internationally known lawyer Geoffrey Fieger, are experts at handling birth injury cases, including those involving hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
We have won more than 165 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more, including a national record-setting verdict of $145 million in a birth trauma case in 2011. It still stands as the largest medical malpractice verdict in the nation.
FIEGER LAW: HYPOXIC ISCHEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY LAWYERS IN MICHIGAN
If your child has suffered from HIE, please call Fieger Law. Our firm can find out why, and who is responsible. We know that money can never reverse the damage, but it can help you ensure your child leads the most productive life possible, and that your family doesn’t have to bear the crushing financial burden of care.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
