Throughout pregnancy and delivery, parents expect doctors and nurses to take care of their children and alert them if things are not going as planned. Unfortunately, they might not always live up to this standard. In serious cases, your child may suffer a birth injury like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This injury can have terrible repercussions and often requires intensive treatment.
Let an El Paso hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyer help you bring the responsible medical professional or facility to justice if this happened to your child. In a free consultation, a representative from the Birth Injury Lawyers Group can tell you about the legal process and how we can be of assistance. Call us now at (800) 222-9529.
Background on Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
HIE occurs when blood and oxygen flow to the baby’s brain is impeded. When this happens, brain tissue can become severely damaged.
According to Newborn Infant Nursing Reviews, around 40 to 60% of children who suffer from this condition either pass away by age 2 or develop disabilities. This injury can affect a child’s senses and cognitive abilities, and they may develop cerebral palsy and experience seizures.
Although the cause of an HIE occurrence is not always identifiable, some of the contributing factors are:
- Drug and alcohol abuse during pregnancy
- Umbilical cord complications
- Bleeding or rupture of the placenta
- Heart and lung disease
- Maternal gestational diabetes
- Atypical fetal position
- Prolonged labor
- Doctor’s failure to check the baby’s vitals throughout pregnancy and labor
It is easy to feel helpless in this situation, but the baby can undergo some treatments to stop the condition from causing further damage. Some of them include:
- Therapeutic hypothermia
- Stem-cell transplant
- Mechanical ventilation
Depending on the seriousness of the baby’s condition (mild, moderate, or severe), the types of treatments and medications may vary.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Financial Help for Covering the Related Damages
The medical team serving you and your child took an oath to ensure they would protect their patients from harm. If their negligence or carelessness caused you and your child to suffer, it violates this standard of care and makes them liable for the damages. Since this injury was not your fault, you should not have to pay the expenses to cover it. You may be entitled to pursue compensation from the liable party.
Economic and Non-Economic Damages from a Birth Injury
There are two types of damages you can recover: non-economic and economic. The former includes damages that your child suffers from psychologically and physically. One example is pain and suffering, which describes the physical pain your child has to experience now and, in the future, in addition to the mental anguish your family experiences following the incident.
Economic damages cover losses you endured that have a fixed, monetary value. The most prominent one is likely medical expenses. This can include extended hospital stays, treatment, medication, lab work, and possible surgery your child needs to get well. If medical malpractice is to blame, the negligent party should take care of those payments for you.
You may have also had to take time off work or leave your job completely to tend to your child’s needs. This decrease in income can take a huge toll on your family’s finances.
Texas Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Lawyer Near Me 1-800-222-9529
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group Wants to Help You with Your Case
Between taking care of your child after their injury and trying to balance other aspects of your life, bringing those responsible for your child’s HIE to justice may seem like an insurmountable task.
If you hire an El Paso hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyer, they can take over your case and handle it for you. Below is a list of some of the services an attorney can provide.
Investigating Your Case
Your lawyer can get in touch with your care providers and their representatives and request access to their logbooks, your medical records, and ultrasound pictures from the pregnancy. They can then consult other medical experts who can review these documents and decide if there was an issue that indicated the possibility of HIE. These experts can also give us a rundown on how they would have acted in the same or a similar situation.
Complying with State Deadlines
It is important to be aware of the Texas statute of limitations for filing your medical malpractice lawsuit. This time limit is two years under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §74.251. Your lawyer can explain this deadline and what it involves in greater detail when you meet.
Representing You in All Proceedings
Going up against a hospital or clinic’s insurance company and legal team may be daunting. That is not for you to worry about, though. Your lawyer can communicate with them and other involved parties to fight for compensation on your behalf.
They will relay all messages between you and the opposing party. In addition, they can give you advice as to what the best options may be for your case.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
Reach Out to the Birth Injury Lawyers Group Today
At the Birth Injury Lawyers Group, we operate on contingency, meaning you will not owe us anything unless and until you receive compensation for your damages. There is no obligation to hire us when you contact us. For more information, call (800) 222-9529 today.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."