Birth asphyxia, also known as perinatal asphyxia, refers to a condition resulting from a lack of oxygen to the baby before or during the birthing process. This can lead to a form of brain damage called Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE.
The causes of the lack of oxygen to a baby’s brain can be numerous, and some causes are preventable. In mild cases, the baby can recover fully. However, in more severe cases, birth asphyxia can lead to organ failure, brain damage, or become fatal.
The Denver birth injury lawyers of the Birth Injury Lawyers Group in Denver have helped many families affected by this condition, and they may be able to help you. We can assess the details of your case and help you to take legal action if your child has suffered due to medical negligence.
What to Do if You Think Your Child’s Birth Injuries Could Have Been Prevented
When birth asphyxia occurs in a newborn, it can be heart-wrenching and extremely confusing for the parents. No parent wants their baby to suffer any harm, especially if it can result in permanent damage. The questions they have surrounding the baby’s injuries deserve answers.
They are unlikely to find the answers they seek from the medical personnel involved. While they may be entrusted to heal people, the hospitals and clinics that employ them are extremely skilled at shutting down claims.
If you suspect your child has suffered a birth injury due to perinatal asphyxia, the next step is to reach out to a Denver birth asphyxia lawyer to help you through the process. An attorney can advise you of your options, explain what your rights are under the law, and help to determine liability.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Birth Asphyxia Signs Can Sometimes Go Unnoticed
While many cases of birth asphyxia are apparent, certain circumstances can lead to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy that remains undiagnosed until later. These symptoms that appear later can unmask an incidence of birth asphyxia that you were not aware of.
Some signs of birth asphyxia associated with HIE include:
- Abnormal reflex responses
- Bluish skin color at birth
- Abnormal neurologic exams
- Seizures
- Need for resuscitation at birth
- Low Apgar scores
- Blood gas showing metabolic acidosis
- Breathing problems at birth
- Increased or decreased muscle tone
If you suspect that your child is exhibiting symptoms that are attributable to birth asphyxia, an attorney with experience in birth injury claims in Denver can help you to determine if medical negligence was a factor. You can share your concerns and the details of your claim for a legal evaluation.
Denver Birth Asphyxia Lawyer Near Me (800) 222-9529
Causes of Birth Asphyxia
There are many different technical errors that can occur during childbirth that can cause birth asphyxia and HIE. For example, the cord gas results can be incorrect, leading the physicians to believe that everything is normal, or there can be errors made by the person drawing the sample.
Cord blood gas interpretations are often a part of birth injury lawsuits, and an experienced birth asphyxia attorney will know the common arguments used by hospital attorneys to dispute a plaintiff’s claims. Your lawyer will also understand a variety of other causes of HIE. Some examples are:
High-Risk Pregnancy Issues
Failure to monitor or properly treat gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, high- blood pressure, or other high-risk pregnancy conditions that lead to HIE can be medical negligence.
Failure to Prevent a Premature Birth
If a doctor doesn’t advise the mother on how to prevent premature birth, a greater risk of HIE is experienced when the baby is born with underdeveloped lungs. The medical provider could be held liable.
Uterine Rupture or Placental Abruption
Complications can arise that lead to birth asphyxia when the doctor doesn’t respond with the proper medical protocol following a placental abruption or uterine tear. This mismanagement can be considered medical negligence.
Delayed Cesarean Section
If the healthcare provider doesn’t recognize fetal distress and act early enough, it can result in perinatal asphyxia. Delayed C Section births can prolong the baby’s oxygen deprivation and many doctors have been held liable for their inaction.
Delivery-Inducing Medication Overuse or Misuse – Pitocin
When Pitocin is administered in the wrong amount or at the wrong time, extreme or frequent contractions can restrict the blood flow to the baby. The lack of oxygenated blood can result in birth asphyxia and physicians, prescribers, or other medical professionals could be held responsible.
Umbilical Cord Issues
The umbilical cord supplies the baby’s oxygen and can become wrapped, prolapsed, or it could be underdeveloped. While umbilical cord problems are often not preventable, these situations require careful analysis to determine whether they were preventable or not.
Infections
Maternal or fetal infections that are not diagnosed or treated properly can be particularly dangerous and may lead to HIE. A birth asphyxia lawyer in Denver can analyze whether or not the doctor treated these conditions according to acceptable medical standards.
HIE statistics show that HIE occurs in roughly one of every 1000 full-term births in the United States, but many parents aren’t aware of their rights in a circumstance like this. While coming to grips with the long-term implications, parents may find themselves facing an uncooperative team of hospital attorneys.
You deserve to know if your baby’s injuries could have been prevented, and you don’t have to fight this battle alone. In the midst of a painful and exhausting situation, a birth asphyxia attorney can be your advocate and hold the responsible parties accountable.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
Contact a Denver Birth Asphyxia Law Firm Today
We understand that your focus is on seeking the best care possible for your baby, and we know the sleepless nights and uncertainty you may be facing.
It’s important to find out if the cause of your baby’s injuries were preventable and to know that it is within your legal rights to pursue financial compensation if medical negligence was a factor. You don’t have to face the insurance company or hospital attorneys alone.
The attorneys of the Birth Injury Lawyers Group have built their reputation fighting for the families of babies injured by medical malpractice, and they may be able to help you. Contact us to schedule an appointment for a free case consultation today.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."