Hawaii Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Lawyers
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) refers to brain injuries caused by oxygen deprivation. HIE is a leading cause of death and serious impairment in newborns. It leads to a number of serious health issues such as cognitive impairment, neurodevelopmental delay, motor impairment, developmental delay, epilepsy, and more.
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy cases are very complex and require the skill and resources of an experienced lawyer. For almost 30 years, attorney Stephen Brzezinski health care professionals across the United States. His extensive knowledge of law and medicine provide a unique advantage in your pursuit of justice.
If your child suffered hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, it is important to act quickly. Call SRB Hawaii Law today at 1-855-SRB-1817 or (808) 809-7069 to schedule a complimentary consultation. We serve all of the Hawaiian islands.
What is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy?
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), also known as intrapartum asphyxia, is a brain injury that occurs when a baby’s brain is deprived of oxygenated blood. “Hypoxic” means low oxygen, and “ischemic” means a lack of blood flow. “Encephalopathy” is a general term that refers to widespread brain damage.
These injuries can happen during pregnancy, labor, or shortly after delivery. There are also instances when HIE can affect older children and adults when oxygen is cut off from the brain during events such as near-drowning, drug overdose, or stroke.
For infants with HIE, the severity of brain damage and the potential for subsequent disabilities depends on factors such as:
- The condition of the baby before oxygen deprivation
- The duration of time that the baby was oxygen-deprived
- The degree of oxygen deprivation
- The response of medical professionals
What causes hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy?
A variety of medical errors and complications can lead to HIE. Some of these potential events and circumstances include:
- Premature delivery
- Umbilical cord issues
- Infections, in both mothers and newborns
- C-section delays and errors
- Multiple deliveries (twins, etc.)
- Low birth weight
- Fetal stroke
- Prolonged labor
- Vacuum extractor and forceps injuries
- Anesthesia errors
- Fetal monitoring errors
- Placental complications, such as placental abruption and placenta previa
What are the symptoms of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy?
There are symptoms that can signal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy at birth. Some examples of these symptoms include:
- Coma
- Strange response to light
- Difficulty breathing
- Multiple organ issues
- Limpness or low muscle tone
- Low Apgar score for more than five minutes after birth
- Bluish skin tone
- Seizure
- Low heart rate
- Difficulty sucking or swallowing
- The need for resuscitation at birth
HIE can sometimes be detected while a baby is still in utero, by closely monitoring for signs of fetal distress.
What are the health conditions caused by HIE?
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy can lead to death or a number of health issues, such as:
- Cerebral palsy
- Sensory processing disorders
- Vision and hearing impairments
- Speech and language problems
- Microcephaly (abnormally small head)
- Motor disorders
- Learning disabilities
- Seizure disorders
How SRB Hawaii Law Can Help You
If your child suffered hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, birth asphyxia, or other birth injury, it may be the result of medical malpractice. We strongly encourage you to contact SRB Hawaii Law as quickly as possible. If negligence caused your child’s injury, you only have a limited time, known as a statute of limitations, in which to seek compensation for your child’s losses.
SRB Hawaii Law is committed to making things right and ensuring that what happened to you never happens to another family. HIE cases require extensive knowledge of both law and medicine. Mr. Brzezinski has devoted his career to this area of law. Over the course of his legal career, he has worked with medical professionals and institutions across the nation. He knows that health care providers and insurance companies are not villains. They are hard-working people who want to do the right thing and occasionally make mistakes.
SRB Hawaii Law strives to hold those responsible for your child’s injury accountable, and make sure mistakes are not repeated in the future. We do this for the sake of your child, your family, and all those who come after you. We will thoroughly investigate every detail of your case and determine the true cause of your child’s hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. We will provide you with straight-forward, honest legal counsel and keep you informed throughout every stage of your process. This is your case and your life; we are proud to serve you with compassion and integrity. Together, we can help to make a difference in your child’s life while also making medicine better. It’s about time.
Schedule your complimentary case review today!
Contact SRB Hawaii Law today online or at 1-855-SRB-1817 or (808) 809-7069 to schedule your free initial consultation. We will discuss the details of your case, answer your questions, and inform you of your legal options. Our accomplished law firm welcomes clients from in and around the Honolulu area.
