Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is often considered one of the most dangerous forms of birth injuries that can occur due to medical staff negligence. Some reports even cite it as the leading cause of death in young infants. Our Columbus HIE lawyers at Rourke & Blumenthal can help you seek compensation for your newborn’s suffering and your own emotional trauma if the HIE that afflicted your child could have been prevented.

The people of Ohio trust us with their sensitive personal injury cases because:

• We have won more than $300 million for our clients
• Our attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the Super Lawyers® list
• Our attorneys have 150+ years of combined trial and legal experience
• We are AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®

Do you have questions about your rights as a parent whose child suffered from HIE? We would be glad to help you in a free consultation!

Causes & Consequences of Infant HIE

A newborn, or even a child still in the womb, may be afflicted by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy if the oxygen supplied to their brain and other vital organs is minimized. In some situations, effective prenatal care can catch signs of HIE and start working toward correcting it. In other circumstances, HIE stems from complications experienced during childbirth, which are most often preventable if the doctors and nurses present fulfill their duties to the required standards.

Your child may have suffered HIE or is currently suffering from it, and you might not know it. Hospital staff may have failed to diagnose the condition, or otherwise neglected to tell you what was happening. If your newborn shows any of the following symptoms, you should contact your pediatrician right away:

• Lethargy
• Seizures
• A weak pulse
• Difficulty breathing
• Irregular eating habits
• Poor muscle or motor control
• Blue or abnormally white skin
• An inability to ingest food

HIE that goes undetected or untreated can lead to permanent debilitations, often caused by brain damage. It is absolutely critical for your child to get the medical attention necessary as soon as possible if you suspect they are suffering from this dangerous birth injury.

You Should Not Have to Shoulder the Cost of HIE

Fortunately, HIE can be treated if it is detected in time. The treatments, which can include breathing apparatuses and cooling procedures, may be quite extensive, lasting months or more as the child develops. If HIE caused permanent brain damage, repercussions could include lifelong medical care or attention.

All of this adds up to unnecessary stress and costs to you, consequences which our HIE injury attorneys in Columbus do not believe you should have to deal with alone. The hospital staff that assisted in your child’s birth should provide fair compensation for what their negligence has done.