If your child suffered hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy when they were born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, because of medical negligence, you have rights.
Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC’s Minneapolis birth injury lawyers can help you take a stand and fight for the money your family will need to pay for your child’s medical care, compensate for your current wage loss and your child’s diminished earning capacity, and the pain and suffering this devastating injury carries.
Our award-winning litigators helped victims of catastrophic birth injuries and their families win tens of millions in monetary awards. Now, we’re ready to be your most dedicated legal advocates, too.
Contact our Minneapolis, MN, law office today to schedule a free consultation.
What Is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)?
Hypoxic means oxygen deprivation in the body’s tissues. Ischemic means reduced blood supply and blood flow in a particular part of the body. Encephalopathy refers to conditions that impair the brain’s ability to function properly.
Together, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE, refers to a specific birth injury that occurs when a newborn doesn’t get enough oxygen in the uterus, during labor and delivery, or immediately after they’re born. Limited oxygen reduces blood flow in the child’s brain, which can cause permanent damage.
Children who suffer from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy are at an increased risk of serious and potentially life-threatening consequences, including:
- Epilepsy
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental disorders
- Respiratory failure
- Hypotonia
- Vision loss
- Hearing loss
- Learning disabilities
- Speech delays
HIE can also be fatal if the child’s brain is deprived of too much oxygen for too long.
What Can Cause Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy?
Some instances of HIE can occur even when all appropriate medical interventions are used. However, most cases of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy are caused by costly medical errors, including:
- Failing to identify placenta abruptions or placenta previa during pregnancy
- Failing to diagnose fetal health issues or distress during pregnancy
- Failing to identify umbilical prolapse, compressed umbilical cords, or a cord wrapped around the baby’s airway
- Improper use of vacuums and forceps on the child’s head during delivery
- Failing to monitor a child’s oxygen level, heart rate, and respiration before, during, and after birth
There’s no justification when a child suffers from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy because of a medical error. If your family has found itself in this grave situation, you have the right to demand compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of HIE?
The signs of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy might be apparent right away or might become clearer over time.
Common symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
- Uncontrollable crying or screaming
- Difficulty nursing or feeding
- Abnormal muscle tone or reflexes
- Difficulty staying awake
- Low heart rate
- Hearing and vision impairments
- Learning difficulties
HIE can be treated, so it’s important to be vigilant and seek medical attention if you suspect that your newborn has suffered a serious birth injury.
Call an Experienced Minneapolis Birth Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Your child has suffered a scary and potentially life-changing birth injury. Don’t struggle with the costs and consequences of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy on your own. Call Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC, and trust our Minneapolis birth injury attorneys to help you stand up to your child’s negligent doctor, the hospital where they were born, and the insurance company in pursuit of financial justice.
We offer a complimentary case evaluation. Contact our Minneapolis, MN, law office to discuss your child’s birth injury case today.