Tucson Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Lawyers

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is a serious brain injury that occurs when a newborn’s brain does not receive enough oxygen (hypoxia) and blood flow (ischemia) around the time of birth. Even a short period of oxygen deprivation can cause lasting damage. HIE can lead to developmental delays, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, cognitive impairments, and other lifelong challenges. Medical providers are trained to recognize warning signs of HIE and respond quickly. When they fail to do so, the consequences can be devastating and may justify legal action from the parents of the affected child.

HIE Can Cause Cerebral Palsy

One of the greatest concerns that parents of children with HIE face is the risk of cerebral palsy. It is believed that the oxygen-deprivation damage caused by HIE is the leading cause of cerebral palsy among newborns.

The most common symptoms of cerebral palsy include:

• Difficulty with motor functions and movement
• Balance or posture complications
• Stiff or floppy muscles
• Delayed developmental milestones
• Tremors, spasticity, and involuntary movement
• Feeding and speech difficulties

Cerebral palsy symptoms usually appear early in a child’s life, such as difficulty sitting upright or even crawling. If your child was born with HIE, then you should speak with a pediatrician or another medical specialist who can examine your child’s health for signs of cerebral palsy. If your child does have cerebral palsy, they may need lifelong specialized care, which makes taking legal action even more important.

How Medical Negligence Can Cause or Contribute to HIE

Labor and delivery are critical periods that require constant vigilance from medical professionals. Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff must monitor both mother and baby and act promptly when complications arise. When accepted standards of care are not followed, oxygen deprivation can occur.

Medical negligence that may lead to HIE can include:

• Failing to monitor and properly interpret signs of fetal distress
• Delaying or failing to perform a timely emergency C-section
• Improperly administering or mismanaging Pitocin during labor
• Failing to recognize placental complications or umbilical cord issues
• Failing to initiate therapeutic hypothermia (cooling therapy) within the recommended timeframe after birth

Therapeutic hypothermia, when administered promptly, can reduce the severity of brain injury in certain newborns. If providers fail to recognize eligibility or delay treatment without medical justification, that delay can worsen the outcome for the newborn.

Proving the Cause of HIE

Proving that medical negligence caused or contributed to HIE requires a meticulous and evidence-driven approach. Hospitals and insurers often argue that the injury was unavoidable or occurred before labor began. Thanks to our resources and experience, we can look for ways to challenge their defenses and prove that they should be liable for what happened to your child.

To investigate and support your claim, we may:

• Obtain and analyze complete prenatal, labor, and delivery records
• Review fetal monitoring strips with qualified medical experts
• Consult neonatologists, obstetricians, nurses, and other specialists
• Evaluate hospital protocols and whether they were followed
• Examine the timing and appropriateness of interventions, including C-sections and therapeutic hypothermia

By working closely with respected experts, we can attempt to identify where the standard of care was breached and how that breach led to oxygen deprivation and brain injury. Our trial experience allows us to present complex medical evidence clearly and persuasively. While many cases resolve through settlement, we prepare every case as though it may be tried before a jury, just in case it becomes needed, as it often does in birth injury claims.

We understand that behind every medical record is a child and a family whose life has changed forever. Our goal is to provide you with clarity about what happened and to pursue accountability, justice, and fair compensation for your family.

Compensation in an HIE Lawsuit

An HIE diagnosis can bring significant financial strain in addition to emotional hardship. Children affected by HIE may require ongoing medical treatment, therapy, assistive devices, home modifications, and long-term care. A lawsuit cannot undo the injury, but it can seek financial resources to support your child’s future.

Depending on the facts of your case, the compensation we seek may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation, therapy, and specialized education costs
• In-home nursing care or long-term care expenses
• Assistive technology and mobility equipment
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of earning capacity over your child’s lifetime

We can work with life care planners and economic experts to estimate the full scope of your child’s long-term needs. It is important to carefully assess both current and future costs so that any resolution reflects the realities your family may face in the years ahead, including those related to cerebral palsy.

Speak with a Tucson HIE Attorney Today

If you suspect that medical mistakes contributed to your child’s HIE diagnosis, you should take steps to begin a claim right away. We know how intimidating it can feel to question a hospital or physician, especially while caring for a child with complex medical needs, so let us stand up to them for you.

At James Wood Law, we combine substantial trial experience with a focused commitment to medical malpractice and birth injury litigation. We approach every case with preparation, diligence, and respect for what your family is going through. When appropriate, we pursue claims against all responsible parties and seek accountability through negotiation or trial. In other words, we know that your child’s future matters, and we’re willing to fight for it.

Contact us online or call (888) 579-3866 today to schedule a free consultation with our HIE lawyers.