If your child has been diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and you have questions about whether medical negligence played a role, a Toledo birth injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options.
HIE is a serious birth injury that occurs when a baby’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen or blood flow before, during, or shortly after delivery. Even short interruptions in oxygen can lead to permanent brain damage, developmental delays, and lifelong medical needs. An HIE diagnosis can also overwhelm families with anxiety about a child’s future, ongoing care, and financial stability.
HIE is often the result of medical errors, lapses in appropriate care, or complications during labor and delivery that aren’t recognized or addressed in time.
At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, we represent families affected by serious birth injuries. We can work to determine what went wrong and pursue compensation that reflects the lifelong impact HIE can have on a child and their family.
For a free consultation about your child’s birth injury, contact our team now.
What Is Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy?
HIE is a type of brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen (hypoxia) and reduced blood flow (ischemia) to a baby’s brain. This deprivation interferes with normal brain function and can lead to permanent damage.
HIE most often occurs during labor and delivery, but it can also happen shortly before or after birth. The newborn brain is especially vulnerable to oxygen deprivation, and even a brief interruption can cause serious injury. When oxygen levels drop, brain cells can begin to die, triggering swelling and inflammation that further damage brain tissue.
Doctors classify hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy into three categories based on severity:
- Mild: Temporary symptoms such as irritability, feeding difficulties, or abnormal muscle tone
- Moderate: Seizures, reduced alertness, and more pronounced neurological symptoms
- Severe: Significant brain damage, long-term disability, or life-threatening complications
Some babies with mild HIE may recover with minimal long-term effects, while others with more severe symptoms could face lifelong challenges. Because symptoms can evolve over time, careful monitoring and follow-up care are critical after a suspected hypoxic-ischemic event.
Understanding what HIE is, how it develops, and how it affects the brain is an important first step for families seeking answers about their child’s diagnosis and future care.
Common Causes of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
A variety of complications can interfere with oxygen and blood flow to a baby’s brain. Some causes are related to unavoidable medical emergencies; others involve delays in diagnosis, poor monitoring, or failures to respond appropriately during labor and delivery.
Common causes of HIE include:
- Problems with the placenta, such as placental abruption or placental insufficiency
- Umbilical cord compression, prolapse, or the cord wrapped around the baby’s neck
- Prolonged labor, particularly when fetal distress is not promptly recognized or addressed
- Failure to perform a C-section when there are signs of oxygen deprivation
- Uterine rupture or hemorrhage, which can disrupt blood flow to the baby
- Severe maternal infection or low blood pressure during labor or delivery
Identifying the cause of HIE can be a complex process that requires reviewing medical records, monitoring data, and the timeline of events during delivery. Our team of attorneys can help families investigate whether medical negligence played a role in their child’s injury.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
The signs and symptoms of HIE vary depending on the severity of the injury and how much of the brain was affected. Some symptoms are noticeable immediately after birth, while others may become more apparent over time as a child grows and developmental milestones are missed.
In newborns, signs of HIE may include:
- Difficulty breathing or the need for resuscitation at birth
- Low Apgar scores
- Weak muscle tone or abnormal reflexes
- Poor feeding or difficulty sucking and swallowing
- Seizures or abnormal movements
- Lethargy or reduced responsiveness
Additional symptoms and complications may emerge as a child grows, including:
- Developmental delays
- Problems with movement, coordination, or balance
- Cognitive or learning disabilities
- Speech and communication difficulties
- Vision or hearing impairments
- Behavioral or emotional challenges
Some children with HIE may later be diagnosed with conditions such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or other neurological disorders. Because symptoms can change and evolve over time, ongoing medical evaluation and early intervention are critical for children affected by HIE.
Living With the Long-Term Effects of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
For many families, the impact of HIE extends beyond the newborn period. The full scope of HIE-related complications may not be immediately clear and can evolve as a child grows.
Children living with the long-term effects of HIE could need:
- Ongoing physical, occupational, or speech therapy
- Specialized medical care or neurological monitoring
- Assistive devices or adaptive technology
- Educational accommodations or special education services
- Long-term caregiving and support from family members
These needs can put significant emotional, physical, and financial strain on families. Parents may need to adjust work schedules, seek specialized childcare, or make long-term plans to support a child with complex medical or developmental needs. In some cases, the cost of care continues well into adulthood.
Because HIE can affect every aspect of a child’s life, legal claims must consider not only current medical expenses but also future care, therapy, and support needs. Since 1928, our law firm has successfully fought for justice on behalf of Ohio residents. We can help families pursue compensation that reflects the lifelong impact of HIE.
Contact Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy today for a free consultation.
Birth Injury Claims Under Ohio Law
Families affected by HIE may have legal options under Ohio birth injury law if medical negligence contributed to their child’s injury. Not every complication during childbirth is preventable, but healthcare providers are required to monitor the baby and mother, recognize signs of distress, and respond appropriately.
To pursue a birth injury claim involving HIE, it must be shown that:
- A medical provider owed a duty of care to the mother and child.
- That duty was breached by failure to meet medical standards.
- The breach directly contributed to the baby’s oxygen deprivation.
- The child suffered harm as a result.
Ohio law also places time limits on when birth injury claims can be filed. While the statute of limitations for most medical malpractice suits is one year from the date of the injury, certain circumstances allow for more time. Speaking with a lawyer experienced in birth injury cases as soon as possible can help ensure important deadlines are met.
Medical Care and Support Resources for Families in Toledo
Families often rely on a network of medical providers, specialists, and support services to care for their child.
In the Toledo area, infants with suspected or diagnosed HIE can receive care at hospitals with neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and pediatric specialists, including ProMedica Toledo Hospital and Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center.
As children grow, many families also work with early intervention programs, physical and occupational therapists, speech therapists, and special education services to help address delays and improve quality of life. Ohio Early Intervention is a statewide system that offers services to families of children with developmental delays.
Get Help from Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy
Birth injury cases involving HIE are often complex and emotionally difficult for families. Our team can carefully review medical records, fetal monitoring data, and the timeline of events to investigate whether medical errors or delays in care contributed to a child’s brain injury.
We also work closely with you to understand how an HIE diagnosis has affected your child’s health, development, and long-term needs. We can build a case that accounts not only for immediate medical expenses, but also for future care, therapy, assistive services, and the ongoing support a child may require throughout their life.
Our law firm is committed to serving the citizens of Ohio and has been since 1928. We have decades of experience winning fair compensation on their behalf. Let us stand by you, too.
Speak To Our Birth Injury Attorneys Now
If your child has been diagnosed with HIE, you may have legal options under Ohio law if medical negligence played a role. We can help you understand those options and determine the best path forward for your family.
To start seeking answers and accountability after a birth injury, contact us today for a free consultation. Our No Fee Guarantee® means you pay nothing unless we win.
