Cleveland Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Lawyers

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a devastating condition that can occur during childbirth, often because of medical negligence. Families dealing with the effects of HIE face emotional anguish and significant financial burdens from long-term medical care.

At Nurenberg Paris, our Cleveland Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy lawyers are committed to helping families secure justice and the resources they need to care for their children.

When Ischemia and Hypoxia Cause Brain Damage

Understanding the causes of HIE is critical to recognizing when medical negligence played a role. Our team of birth injury lawyers have witnessed the devastation that families experience and know that information is power. That’s why we want to share as much as possible about HIE to help victim’s families make informed decisions.

What Are Ischemia and Hypoxia?

Ischemia occurs when blood flow to the brain is restricted, depriving it of necessary nutrients and oxygen.
Hypoxia refers to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain, often due to issues like umbilical cord complications.

How Do These Conditions Occur During Childbirth?

HIE is often preventable when medical professionals manage known risks and complications during labor and delivery. When they don’t, the physical, emotional, and financial hardship is devastating.

Common Risk Factors:

Umbilical cord prolapse or wrapping around the baby’s neck
Maternal infections, such as chorioamnionitis
Prolonged labor or delayed delivery.
Maternal blood pressure that’s too low or too high

Medical Errors Leading to HIE

Common errors that result in HIE are:

Failure to recognize and respond to fetal distress
Improper use of delivery tools causing trauma or oxygen deprivation
Neglecting to perform a timely C-section when complications arise

Levels of HIE Severity

The severity of HIE determines the treatment options and the child’s long-term prognosis.

Mild HIE: Symptoms may include irritability or poor feeding but often resolve within a few days without long-term effects.
Moderate HIE: May involve seizures and abnormal muscle tone, apnea, poor grasp, requiring medical intervention such as therapeutic hypothermia.
Severe HIE: Leads to significant brain damage, uncontrollable seizures, cardiorespiratory issues, and organ failure. If the child survives, they will have lifelong complications, including developmental delays and physical disabilities.

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Symptoms

Early detection of HIE can improve outcomes for affected newborns.

Symptoms often include:
- Difficulty breathing or needing resuscitation at birth
- Poor muscle tone or lack of movement
- Seizures within the first 24 hours of life
- Difficulty feeding or maintaining normal body temperature
Why early diagnosis and prompt treatment matter:
- Prompt treatment, such as cooling therapy, oxygen support, and EEG monitoring, can significantly impact the child’s long-term health.

HIE often results in complications that require ongoing care and specialized support for a lifetime. This makes HIE cases more complicated and is why they require a skilled lawyer to help anticipate future complications.

Common Complications of HIE:
- Cerebral Palsy: A lifelong condition affecting motor skills and coordination
- Developmental Delays: Impairments in cognitive, physical, or social development
- Epilepsy: A neurological condition causing recurrent seizures

These conditions often result in costly medical care, intensive therapy, and support. These ongoing expenses create an overwhelming financial and emotional strain on families.

Treatment for Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

The cost of HIE treatments can feel almost impossible to calculate, but they are necessary to improve outcomes and quality of life. Some treatments should take place immediately, like the ones we mentioned when referencing early intervention — and some are ongoing for years to come.

Treatment Options:
- Therapeutic Hypothermia: Cooling therapy to reduce brain damage in the first days of life
- Medications: To manage seizures and other symptoms
- Therapies: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy to aid development and improve functionality

Sadly, families often face unmanageable expenses for simply caring for their children’s needs. This makes legal compensation essential for ensuring their children receive proper care.

How Nurenberg Paris Can Help

At Nurenberg Paris, our birth injury lawyers understand the challenges families face after an HIE diagnosis and are here to provide compassionate and skilled legal support. All our clients can rely upon us to deliver the following:

Experience in Birth Injury Cases: With decades of experience, we know how to handle complex medical malpractice claims.
Thorough Investigation: Our team reviews medical records, consults with experts, and identifies negligence to build a strong case.
Commitment to Maximum Compensation: We fight to help our clients get compensation for medical costs, therapy expenses, and emotional hardship.

Contact Our Cleveland HIE Lawyers Today

If your child has been diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and you suspect medical negligence played a role, contact Nurenberg Paris today.

We offer compassionate guidance and a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case. Let us help you pursue the justice your family deserves.

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