Receiving a hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) diagnosis for your child can be emotional. Beyond current medical concerns, you may be unsure about how to protect your child’s future. Roman & Boock’s hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy attorneys broke down what to expect if you choose to pursue an HIE lawsuit.

What is HIE?

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is a category of brain injuries that happen before, during or shortly after birth. These injuries occur when oxygen or blood flow to the brain is reduced or stopped entirely.

Brain injuries from HIE may result in a range of mild to severe health conditions, such as:

• Developmental Delays
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Epilepsy
• Cerebral Palsy

It’s important to note that damage from encephalopathy is not limited to the brain. Individuals with HIE may have heart, lung, kidney or liver problems. Severe cases may even result in death.

What Causes HIE?

Some cases of HIE stem from unforeseen complications during pregnancy, labor or delivery, such as maternal health or congenital conditions. Others are the direct result of medical malpractice.

Our hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy attorneys have seen medical professionals cause HIE via:

• Negligent Prenatal Care. Medical professionals may fail to diagnose and treat maternal infections, preeclampsia or other serious conditions — increasing the risk of HIE.
• Failure to Monitor. Medical teams may neglect to monitor signs of fetal distress during delivery, such as abnormal heart rates, and correct them accordingly.
• Delayed Interventions. Lengthy delays in C-sections, medication administration or resuscitation may restrict oxygen levels, resulting in irreversible damage.
• Misuse of Delivery Tools. Improper use of forceps and vacuum extractors may cause severe trauma that results in HIE.

What Should You Do After an HIE Diagnosis?

If you suspect negligence played a role in your child’s HIE diagnosis, justice is within reach. Our hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy attorneys suggest the following steps after a diagnosis:

1. Unlock Understanding

HIE is an umbrella term that encompasses a range of conditions. Your child’s specific diagnosis is likely unique to them. Having conversations with medical professionals may paint a clearer picture for you.

After a diagnosis, ask your child’s medical team as many questions as possible. These early interactions will reveal the severity of their condition, possible treatment plans and long-term health implications.

Keep copies of written communications, medical records, test results and discharge notes. These documents will be helpful if you choose to pursue an HIE lawsuit.

2. Seek Ongoing Care

Our brains are highly adaptive during the initial years of our lives. As such, early interventions may make a significant difference for your child — minimizing the effects of HIE and improving their developmental outcomes.

Your child may need a team of medical professionals to support their health as they age. Our hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy attorneys advise that you seek out specialists, such as pediatric neurologists, physical therapists and speech-language pathologists, as needed.

3. Gather All Evidence

A strong personal injury case relies on a robust portfolio of evidence. Parents or legal guardians should compile all applicable medical bills, insurance statements, therapy notes and written communications with healthcare providers.

These documents will strengthen your HIE lawsuit and help your attorney demonstrate injuries as well as expected lifetime costs.

4. Consult a Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Attorney

If you suspect negligence contributed to your child’s HIE diagnosis, contact an attorney experienced in birth injury or medical malpractice cases as soon as possible.

A well-vetted professional will be able to guide you through the legal system with ease — helping you secure a better future for your family.

Roman & Boock’s.hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy attorneys are ready to fight for your family’s future. With decades of experience in medical malpractice, we secure exemplary results for clients in both Missouri and Illinois.

Contact our team for a free HIE lawsuit evaluation today.