Queens Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Attorney

David A. Kates Can Help You With Your Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Claim

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) occurs when your child does not receive enough oxygen during labor and delivery. If it is not diagnosed quickly enough, your family could suffer unthinkable consequences. HIE and other types of birth asphyxia are responsible for 23% of neonatal deaths worldwide.

Even if your child survives, they could face a lifetime of sensory, cognitive, and behavioral difficulties. This is why you need to discuss your situation with an attorney immediately.

At the Law Offices of David A. Kates, an experienced attorney can answer your questions and help you explore your legal options.

Call Attorney Kates at (718) 866-3664 to get started.

What Is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)?

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) a brain disorder that happens when the brain is cut off from the rest of the body. The UCSF Children's Hospital explains it best:

“HIE is a type of brain dysfunction that occurs when the brain doesn't receive enough oxygen or blood flow for a period of time. Hypoxic means not enough oxygen; ischemic means not enough blood flow; and encephalopathy means brain disorder.”

When the brain is “starved” of oxygen, children can suffer severe brain damage, and some of their other organs may be damaged as well. The severity of your child’s injury will depend on how long their brain was deprived of oxygen.

Symptoms of HIE

If HIE is detected right away, doctors may be able to use a technique called “brain cooling” to mitigate the damage. That’s why it’s so important to recognize the symptoms.

In babies, the symptoms of HIE include:

• Being floppy and unreactive to sights or sounds
• Being tense and having intense reactions to stimulation
• Abnormal movements or seizures
• Being unable to feed because of weak muscles in their mouth and throat
• Having a weak cry
• Showing symptoms of organ dysfunction

If your baby demonstrates any of these symptoms during or immediately after birth, they should be transported to a Level 3 or 4 neonatal intensive-care unit (NICU).

Doctors who fail to take this crucial step can be held liable for medical malpractice.

Causes of HIE

A number of situations can cause HIE before, during, and after pregnancy. Many of these risks can be addressed before an emergency in the delivery room.

Causes and risk factors associated with HIE include:

• Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy)
• Low maternal blood pressure
• Maternal diabetes
• Problems with the placenta
• Congenital infections
• Cardiac disease
• Alcohol and/or drug abuse
• Fetal anemia
• Placental abruption
• Fetal distress
• Incorrect birthing position
• Prolonged labor
• Uterine rupture
• Umbilical cord injuries
• Brain and lung defects
• Respiratory diseases
• Premature birth
• Head trauma
• Infections

Like other birth injuries, HIE is more prevalent during long and difficult labors. It can also be attributed to head trauma when doctors use assistive devices, like forceps or vacuums, to deliver the child.

If your child has suffered HIE-related brain damage, Attorney David A. Katescan help you uncover what went wrong.

Call Today for a Free Consultation

Although nothing can change what happened in the delivery room, filing a lawsuit with the Law Offices of David A. Kates can help you secure your family’s future. If your child faces difficulties due to HIE, a settlement or verdict can give you the resources you need to take care of them.

For over 20 years, Mr. Kates has been helping families just like yours overcome the consequences of negligent mistakes in the delivery room. He can help you, too.

All you have to do is call (718) 866-3664 today or contact Attorney Kates onlinefor a free consultation.