HIE Attorneys for Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Birth Injuries in Baltimore, MD

Bringing a child into the world is a complicated but beautiful process. For most families, the birth of a new child is a landmark event filled with joy to be remembered and celebrated for years to come. For others, the event is marred by medical negligence that can cause birth injuries capable of damaging your new child’s health. Though the bodies of both mother and child are strong and resilient, situations do occur that can alter your baby’s entire future. Unfortunately, these situations can result from negligent actions on the part of your medical professional, causing emotional, physical, and lifelong financial distress. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is one such condition, and Baltimore-area residents experiencing this birth injury should contact an HIE attorney. 

What Is Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy and How Can Our HIE Lawyers Help? 

Though the name of this condition is long and complicated, the definition is relatively straightforward. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy occurs when a baby’s brain does not receive sufficient oxygen during the delivery process (hypoxia). This lack of oxygen occurs alongside a lack of blood flow (ischemia), which deprives the brain and other areas of the body of oxygen and nutrients.

After a very short time, hypoxia and ischemia can cause injury to the brain (encephalopathy), causing the brain to shut down. Within a few minutes, cells in the brain can begin to die. This condition can manifest in many different ways. Some common effects of this condition include:

• Seizures
• Breathing problems
• Developmental delays
• Underdeveloped reflexes
• Altered consciousness

Unfortunately, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is one of the leading causes of birth-injury-related death in the United States. 

What Causes Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy? 

While the birth process itself is arduous, if all goes as it should, the infant should not be without oxygen. However, there are a few complications that can cause this condition to occur. They include:

• Infection during delivery
• Improper monitoring of the maternal or fetal heartbeat
• Prolonged labor
• Delayed delivery
• Placental abruptions
• Rupture of the uterus or umbilical cord
• Excessive or improper medications
• Failure to prevent premature delivery
• Preeclampsia or stroke in the mother

Most of these causes are preventable with modern medicine, meaning that medical professionals often have the capability to prevent hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy simply by adhering to the standard of care practiced by a competent physician. If failure to adhere to the standard of care causes hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, it is crucial to contact hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy attorneys. 

Care for Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

In some cases, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is treatable. Generally, treatment includes therapeutic hypothermia or cooling of the brain. This helps the brain to recover and develop normally, often reducing the chances of disability or cognitive delay.

However, treatment for this condition can be expensive. Worse, the need for additional treatment can extend for years or even the rest of your child’s life, creating significant financial stress for your family.  Though your top priority is ensuring that your child is happy and healthy, it is important to think about the medical care needed to facilitate that health and happiness, and whether you should be financially responsible. If the condition was caused by medical negligence or malpractice during childbirth, you can hold the negligent party responsible with a medical malpractice claim. A Baltimore HIE attorney can help you recover your damages. 

Do I Need Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Attorneys for Birth Injury? 

The medical-industrial complex is more predatory than it might seem. Hospitals will do everything they can to avoid admitting negligence and paying for injuries, even if they cause them. They will often attempt to get you to admit fault or sign away your right to sue. Their attorneys have intimidation tactics to keep you from suing or telling others what happened to you.

This is not a legal battle you can or should navigate alone. HIE lawyers can help you navigate the hospital’s legal team and avoid accepting fault in your case. Your HIE lawyer will demonstrate the doctor-patient relationship involved, detail the standard of care expected, and can arrange for expert testimony to describe how your medical team violated that standard of care and caused your child’s injuries and financial damages. If your child has suffered from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, it is crucial to contact our hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy law firm as soon as possible to handle your case. 

Let Our Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Attorney Answer Your Legal Questions Today

At Peter Angelos Law, our medical malpractice attorneys and HIE attorneys can provide you with the comprehensive, compassionate legal counsel you need to pursue your hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy claim. We have years of experience with these complex cases and have an extensive network of medical experts to ensure we can recover the full scope of your damages. For more information about medical malpractice in Maryland state-wide and free answers to your most critical questions, contact us today to request a consultation and begin building your case.