What Are the Symptoms of Newborn Brain Ischemia?

Brain ischemia is a type of stroke. As such, it is characterized by a lack of blood flow to the brain. The symptoms of newborn brain ischemia are:

• Lethargy that goes beyond normal newborn sleep patterns
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• An inability to move one or more body parts

Ischemia Symptoms Do Not Always Appear Right Away

While the symptoms described above appear in children with brain ischemia, other conditions may also present with similar symptoms. Children with brain ischemia do not always show symptoms right away. You may not realize there was a birth injury until years down the line when your child struggles with basic motor and cognitive skills.

Do not hesitate to take your child to a doctor if you have any concerns. If your doctor is not responsive to your concerns, go elsewhere. Nothing is more important than your child’s well-being; they (and you) deserve a doctor who genuinely believes that and is willing to work with you.

Unfortunately, there are all too many cases where newborn brain ischemia could have been prevented with proper care. This may be because of an inattentive or negligent health care provider or a harmful policy in effect at the facility you went to (e.g., allowing under-qualified but cheaper medical professionals to do tasks that are best left to those with more training).

Receiving Compensation After a Brain Ischemia Diagnosis

If you have reason to suspect that your child’s birth injury was preventable, talk to an attorney. They may be able to help you prove your case and get monetary compensation to pay for your child’s future medical treatments and therapies.

There are two types of monetary compensation that you could be entitled to—economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover your financial losses. They reimburse you for, among other things:

• Lost income, including the wages or benefits you (or your partner) gave up when you stayed home to care for your child instead of going to work
• Lost earning capacity, including the wages or benefits you (or your partner) will sacrifice in the future to stay home with your child instead of working
• Medical costs, including treatment your child needed because of the brain ischemia, and any treatment they will need in the future
• Medical-related travel costs, including the money you spent or lost by taking your child to a health care provider who was far away

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages cover the birth injury and its symptoms. They can reimburse you for things like:

• Pain and suffering, including the physical and emotional stress your child has experienced due to the birth injury and/or the disabilities it caused
• Intellectual disability, including any learning disabilities or other cognitive problems caused by the brain ischemia
• Physical disability, including any problems your child has developing age-appropriate motor skills
• Reduced quality of life, including the fact that your child will need lifelong help with basic tasks of daily living

Why You Should Consider Hiring a Lawyer

It is easy to become overwhelmed when filing—or even trying to decide whether you should file—a lawsuit. Instead of struggling alone, you can put your lawsuit in the hands of a lawyer who has experience dealing with birth injury cases. They could handle all aspects of your case, including:

• All communications: You do not have to speak with the liable party. Your lawyer will let you know if they have anything to say or offer.
• The evaluation of your case: Your lawyer can help ensure that the types and amount of compensation you ask for are recoverable under your state’s laws.
• The search for evidence: Your lawyer can collect evidence (e.g., medical records and expert testimony) that backs up your claims and benefits your case.
• All forms and paperwork: You can reduce the chances of a clerical error that could end your lawsuit by letting your lawyer fill out and submit all the necessary forms.
• The negotiations: You may be able to avoid the courtroom by having your lawyer meet with the liable party’s insurance company to fight for your money.
• The trial: In cases where negotiations stall, your lawyer can take your case to court and try to persuade a jury to award you damages.

Call Our Team at the Birth Injury Lawyers Group for Help Today

If your child is showing the symptoms of newborn brain ischemia, take them to a doctor for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. Then call our attorneys at (800) 222-9529 for a free consultation. Whether you are suing one health care provider or a facility, we want to help. You have a limited time to file a lawsuit, so please get in touch with us as soon as possible.