Mistakes by medical professionals during childbirth and delivery can result in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This condition represents a kind of brain damage that can impact the health and well-being of your child.
An Oklahoma birth injury lawyer can step in and help your family after a birth injury. Our team provides compassionate care and support dedicated to meeting your needs. And we can hold the negligent party liable for your damages.
Can You Seek Compensation After an HIE Injury in Oklahoma?
HIE represents a type of brain damage sustained by newborns due to a mix of low blood flow and insufficient oxygen. According to the University of Florida Health, medical professionals use several other terms when discussing HIE, including:
- Neonatal encephalopathy
- Birth asphyxia
- Perinatal asphyxia
Babies who experience HIE often face permanent health conditions, including epilepsy, cognitive disabilities, and cerebral palsy. In addition, some children develop vision and hearing problems due to HIE. These conditions may require medical care throughout your child’s life.
Depending upon the causes of your child’s HIE, you may have the chance to secure compensation for these medical losses and other expenses. Oklahoma HIE attorneys can discuss this option with you.
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What Compensation Can You Receive With an HIE Claim?
A hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy attorney in Oklahoma may help you secure compensation for your losses through a medical malpractice lawsuit. These claims can help you with funds to cover your family’s current and future medical expenses, including the costs for:
- Surgeries
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Mobility devices
You could also receive funds to cover the costs of counseling, mental anguish, pain, and suffering. In many cases, families in your situation secure compensation to cover lost income for parents and the costs of special education for your child.
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Who Can Cover Your Losses After an HIE Birth Injury in Oklahoma?
You count on medical professionals to take the right actions when delivering your child. Unfortunately, these individuals sometimes make mistakes that can lead to the development of HIE in an infant.
Anyone involved in the birth process may prove liable for HIE injuries, including professionals such as:
- Doctors
- Nurses and nurse practitioners
- Midwives
- Obstetricians
In some cases, the individual medical professional ends up liable to cover the costs faced by your family. However, in other situations, your birth injury attorney may pursue a claim against the medical facility where the injury occurred.
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How Do Lawyers Establish Fault in Oklahoma HIE Cases?
An Oklahoma hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy lawyer must establish liability (or fault) in your claim to help you secure compensation after an injury. Lawyers have to show that another party acted negligently during the birth or delivery of your child.
Lawyers focus on showing that a medical professional owed you a duty of care provided at a certain standard. Your lawyer also shows that the medical professional failed to provide you with appropriate care, with their actions leading directly to your newborn’s injuries.
Medical professionals can cause HIE injuries when they respond improperly to:
- Seizures during childbirth
- Asphyxiation
- Injuries showing up on a brain MRI
- Abnormalities with an infant’s tone, activity, or reflexes
The actions taken by medical professionals matter throughout the entirety of childbirth, including before and after delivery. You can learn more about malpractice claims and HIE in Oklahoma by reaching out to our team today.
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How Long Do You Have to Seek Compensation for an HIE Claim?
The state of Oklahoma uses a statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims. Therefore, you only have a limited amount of time to seek compensation for the losses your family sustained due to the injuries.
Our team can review the specific limitations that apply in your case when you contact us. In many cases, the state uses unique rules to handle injury claims involving minors.
Note that if you wait too long and the statute of limitations expires, you lose the chance to seek compensation for any of the losses your family sustained.
What Causes HIE in Oklahoma?
Infants develop HIE for several reasons. Variables tied to pregnancy and delivery can end up contributing to the development of this condition. In some cases, individuals with a high-risk pregnancy have increased odds of delivering a child with HIE.
Problems with the umbilical cord can also lead contribute to HIE development. Doctors must respond quickly if they notice:
- An underdeveloped cord
- Umbilical cord prolapse
- A wrapped cord
Other medical issues associated with HIEs include:
- Problems with the placenta, including placental previa or abruption
- A uterine rupture
- Fetal-maternal hemorrhaging
- Blood clotting disorders
- Issues with shoulder dystocia
In some cases, HIE comes from situations arising after delivery. For example, infections and breathing issues can lead children to develop HIE.
You can discuss all the possible causes of the condition with our Oklahoma hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy lawyers.
Can Doctors in Oklahoma Cure HIE?
Medical professionals do not currently have a cure for HIE. However, doctors can decrease the severity of the damage if they move quickly after the initial event that caused the condition.
Doctors in Oklahoma can perform therapeutic hypothermia to minimize the severity of your child’s HIE. However, they must administer the treatment within 24 hours for it to have a noticeable effect.
Your child may require additional treatments and therapies over time to help them adapt and manage their condition. You can learn more about your options with an HIE attorney.
Speak to an Oklahoma Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Lawyer Today
You can seek professional legal help from an Oklahoma hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy attorney. Our team at the Birth Injury Lawyers Group stands ready to represent you, answer your questions, and support your family.
Complete our online contact form or call us to set up a free consultation.
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