The birth of a child is a moment of joy and hope for families. However, complications during labor and delivery can sometimes lead to devastating outcomes. One such complication is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a serious birth injury caused by oxygen deprivation and reduced blood flow to a baby’s brain. If your child has been diagnosed with HIE, you may have questions about how this happened and whether it could have been prevented. At Hampton & King, our experienced birth injury attorneys in Pasadena are here to help.
If your child suffered from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and you suspect medical negligence, don’t face this challenge alone. Let Hampton & King advocate for your family’s future. Call us today at (713) 658-0231 or complete our simple online form to schedule your free consultation. Even if your HIE birth injury occurred in Houston, our Houston HIR birth injury lawyers are here to help you get the answers and compensation you deserve.
What is HIE?
HIE is a type of brain injury that the Epilepsy Foundation explained occurs when an infant’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen and blood. This condition can lead to long-term consequences such as cerebral palsy, developmental delays, epilepsy, and learning disabilities. The severity of these outcomes often depends on how long the brain was deprived of oxygen and how quickly medical professionals intervened.
How Does HIE Happen?
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy can occur due to various factors during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, including:
- Prolonged labor or delivery complications
- Umbilical cord problems (e.g., prolapse, knots, or compression)
- Placental abruption or uterine rupture
- Failure to monitor fetal distress
- Delayed C-section
- Infection during pregnancy or delivery
- Improper use of delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors
In many cases, HIE is preventable. Healthcare providers are trained to recognize and address signs of fetal distress and other complications. When they fail to take appropriate action, their negligence can lead to tragic outcomes.
The same is true for cerebral palsy (CP) caused by birth injuries. A lack of oxygen, improper use of delivery tools, or failure to perform an emergency C-section can all result in CB-related birth injuries, leading to lifelong challenges for the child and their family.
A Pasadena cerebral palsy lawyer can help families pursue justice when a preventable birth injury leads to CP. By investigating medical records, consulting experts, and holding negligent healthcare providers accountable, we fight to secure compensation for medical expenses, therapy, assistive devices, and long-term care. If your child’s cerebral palsy diagnosis resulted from medical negligence, you don’t have to face this battle alone—Hampton & King is here to help.
Could Medical Negligence Be Involved?
Determining whether medical negligence played a role in your child’s injury is critical. Doctors, nurses, and other medical staff have a responsibility to provide competent care throughout labor and delivery. If they fail to uphold this standard, they may be liable for the harm caused.
Signs of potential medical negligence in HIE cases include:
- Delayed response to fetal distress signals on monitors
- Inadequate communication between medical staff
- Failure to perform a timely C-section
- Errors in administering medications like Pitocin
- Ignoring risk factors such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes
How Can a Birth Injury Attorney Help?
If your child was diagnosed with HIE, navigating the aftermath can be overwhelming. You’re likely facing medical bills, ongoing therapy costs, and uncertainty about your child’s future. A skilled Pasadena birth injury attorney can:
- Investigate the circumstances of your child’s injury
- Consult with medical experts to determine if negligence occurred
- Help you understand your legal options
- Pursue compensation for medical expenses, therapy, pain and suffering, and more
Why Choose Hampton & King?
Hampton & King has over 60 years of experience handling complex birth injury cases, including those involving HIE. We understand the emotional and financial toll these cases take on families, and we’re committed to holding negligent healthcare providers accountable. Our compassionate approach ensures you receive the support you need while we fight for the justice your child deserves.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If your child has been diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), you’re likely dealing with an overwhelming mix of emotions – anger, sadness, confusion, and fear for your child’s future. At Hampton & King, we want you to know you’re not alone. We understand how devastating a birth injury can be, not just for your child but for your entire family. That’s why we’re here to support you every step of the way, offering compassionate guidance and aggressive Houston medical malpractice legal advocacy to hold negligent medical providers accountable.
Let us stand by your side and fight for what’s right. Contact Hampton & King at (713) 658-0231 today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. During this consultation, we’ll listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and outline the next steps in seeking justice for your child. You can also complete our simple online form at your convenience, and one of our team members will get in touch with you promptly.