Top Infant HIE Lawyers In Philadelphia

The most severe types of birth injuries to babies in the birth process result from birth asphyxia (oxygen deprivation) and are often the result of medical negligence and misdiagnosis.

A partial reduction in normal oxygenated blood to the brain can lead to what is known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), while anoxic encephalopathy can occur as a result of total obstruction of blood flow.

The longer oxygenated blood is restricted from the baby's brain, the more severe the brain injury.

Causes during labor and delivery can include umbilical cord occlusion, rupture of the placenta or uterus, abnormal fetal position, or very low blood pressure in the mother. Causes after delivery can include serious infections, trauma to the brain or skull, or very low blood pressure in the baby.

HIE occurs in about 3 to 20 per 1,000 births in the United States, making it the most common type of infant brain damage. According to the World Health Organization, HIE is also the fifth leading cause of death worldwide in children under five.

How Do You Know When An HIE Injury Is Caused By Medical Malpractice?

Babies may suffer hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy due to numerous situations, some of which are unpreventable. However, when there is negligent care before, during, or shortly after birth, the risk of HIE increases significantly. Negligent care may include the following:

• Improper monitoring of the baby's heart rate: When medical professionals fail to monitor the fetal heart rate correctly, they may miss critical signs that the baby is not receiving enough oxygen. This can delay necessary interventions, increasing the risk of prolonged oxygen deprivation and leading to HIE, brain damage, or even fetal death.
• Failure to respond to indications of fetal distress promptly: Fetal distress, such as irregular heart rate or lack of movement, signals that the baby may be suffering from perinatal asphyxia, or a lack of oxygen. If doctors or nurses ignore or delay action after these warnings, it can allow the condition to worsen, potentially causing irreversible brain injury from oxygen deprivation.
• Failure to perform a C-section delivery promptly when warranted: Sometimes, a cesarean section is urgently needed to deliver the baby quickly and prevent complications that can harm both the mother and baby. Delaying a necessary C-section can result in prolonged labor or sustained pressure on the umbilical cord or placenta, leading to reduced oxygen flow and increased chances of HIE.
• Insufficient care taken in a high-risk pregnancy, including monitoring the mother's blood pressure for preeclampsia (high blood pressure): High blood pressure in the mother can restrict blood flow to the placenta, limiting the oxygen the baby receives. If this condition is not closely monitored and managed, it can increase the likelihood of placental abruption or fetal oxygen deprivation, both of which are risk factors for HIE.
• Failure to properly manage the fetal presentation: Abnormal fetal positions (such as breech or transverse lie) can complicate labor and delivery. If these issues are not addressed appropriately, they may result in a difficult birth process that compromises the baby's oxygen supply, raising the risk of hypoxic brain injury and HIE.
• Failure of doctors or nurses to properly diagnose and treat a mother’s placental, uterine, or umbilical cord complications (including umbilical cord prolapse): Conditions like umbilical cord prolapse can block oxygen-rich blood from reaching the baby. If these emergencies are not diagnosed and treated immediately, the resulting oxygen deprivation can lead to HIE and severe disabilities, such as cerebral palsy or developmental delays.

It may be considered a medical malpractice case when any of the above birth complications occur, and HIE or other serious injuries result.

What Are The Long-Term Complications Of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy?

Complications of HIE can range in severity depending on the specific circumstances, from developmental delays to severe brain damage. Some issues caused by an HIE injury may not be apparent right away. Instead, they become noticeable when certain developmental milestones are missed or delayed. Some of the conditions caused by HIE include:

• Developmental delays
• Speech delays
• Learning disabilities
• Visual impairments
• Hearing impairments
• Motor disorders
• Respiratory conditions
• Skin issues
• Feeding problems, nutritional concerns, and oral health issues
• Pain symptoms
• Orthopedic issues
• Behavioral and emotional disorders
• Mental health conditions
• Ataxic cerebral palsy
• Epilepsy or seizure disorder

Finding A Philadelphia Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Lawyer

If your child suffered hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or another birth injury, one of our Philadelphia birth injury attorneys can assist you in determining if you have a case. Ross Feller Casey has a team of dedicated doctors on staff to help identify whether medical errors or preventable birth injuries occurred. This uniquely qualifies the firm to handle all birth injury claims, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawsuits.

At Ross Feller Casey, we know that birth trauma and the injuries that follow are hard on a family, especially when your child's injury is long-term. It causes financial and emotional stress with all the medical bills from hospitals and healthcare providers, and additional medical costs, like medication and specialized care. While we cannot reverse the medical challenges your child's condition has caused, we can guide you through the legal process, hold the responsible medical professionals liable, and get you the compensation you deserve for the emotional and financial toll it's taken on your family. We've helped many families like yours with just that.

The firm handles birth injury lawsuits on a contingency basis, so there will never be a cost to you unless there is a financial recovery in your case. Contact Ross Feller Casey today to schedule your free consultation.

You may still be able to seek compensation in a medical malpractice claim even if the injury occurred some time ago, but your time may be running out.

Ross Feller Casey specializes in infant HIE lawsuits in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.