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Cherry Hill Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Lawyers
Experienced representation from HIE attorneys serving South Jersey
At Ferrara & Gable, our Cherry Hill hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyers have the experience and resources to show what went wrong in the delivery room and why the delivery doctors and hospital should be held accountable. We work with your network of doctors who understand the risk factors for HIE, the causes of HIE, the preventive measures that should have been taken, the complications that may arise, and the medical care your child will need. We are skilled at showing how your child’s life will be affected physically and emotionally for the rest of his/her life.
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How can we help?
- What is HIE?
- What causes HIE?
- What are the signs and symptoms of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy?
- What are the possible complications of HIE?
- Are there treatments for HIE in Cherry Hill?
- Who is liable if my newborn suffers from HIE due to medical malpractice in Cherry Hill?
- How much is my newborn’s birth injury claim worth in New Jersey?
- Do you have a Cherry Hill HIE lawyer near me?
What is HIE?
The prestigious Cleveland Clinic defines HIE as a brain injury that happens when the brain doesn’t get the blood and oxygen it needs. HIE can cause permanent brain damage. HIE is also referred to as birth asphyxia, neonatal encephalopathy, and perinatal hypoxia.
HIE is graded as mild, moderate, or severe. HIE affects about one to six newborns out of every 1,000 births. In America, about 9,000 to 12,000 infants suffer from HIE.
Obstetricians and healthcare providers should be ready to move quickly and competently to ensure newborns receive the blood and oxygen they need. Even a short interruption can cause HIE. HIE can cause severe neurological disorders. The heart, kidneys, and other organs may be damaged if the brain doesn’t get the oxygen it needs.
What causes HIE?
The flow of blood and oxygen to the brain can decrease for the following reasons, among others:
- A fetus’s heart or lungs have an abnormal development
- An infection such as CMV or toxoplasmosis
- The pregnant parent has low oxygen levels
- Low fetal blood pressure
- A breech or a difficult delivery
- A lengthy labor
- Umbilical cord prolapse
- Placenta abruption – when the placenta separates from the uterus
- Uterine rupture
- The placenta blocks the cervix
Some of the risk factors for HIE include:
- A low birth weight
- Amniotic fluid contamination
- Delayed fetal development of lungs and other organs
A mother experiences preeclampsia, substance abuse, and gestational diabetes
What are the signs and symptoms of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy?
The signs and symptoms of HIE, according to the Cleveland Clinic, include:
- Difficulty feeding
- Tiredness
- Hypotonia (a weak, floppy muscle tone) or hypertonia (tense muscles)
- A weak cry
- Irritability
- Cyanosis – a pale, blue, or gray tone to the skin, lips, and fingers.
Severe symptoms include unresponsiveness to sound or touch, poor reflexes, seizures, abnormal breathing, a slow or irregular heartbeat, and loss of consciousness.
Are there treatments for HIE in Cherry Hill?
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is diagnosed through a complete physical exam. Diagnostic tests, some of which may occur before birth, include a placenta blood test, fetal heart monitoring, a newborn wellness test, cord blood and gases test, MRI, ultrasound, blood tests, and an EEG.
The treatments for HIE, according to the Cleveland Clinic, include:
- Cooling your baby’s body followed by rewarming the body. This helps protect the brain from further injury.
- Anti-seizure medications
- “Supportive treatment of the underlying cause to improve blood and oxygen flow to you or your child’s brain (like receiving supplemental oxygen through a mask or nasal cannula).”
Additional treatments may include:
- Medications and IV fluids
- Treating the underlying organ damage
- Mechanical ventilation
Some treatments may have side effects.
Treatments that may be used as your child grows include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, early intervention education programs, hearing aids, and glasses.
Newborns with mild HIE and no brain damage often recover within two weeks. More serious cases of HIE often require a lifetime of medical and supportive care. HIE can be fatal.
Who is liable if my newborn suffers from HIE due to medical malpractice in Cherry Hill?
While some causes of HIE are unavoidable, many causes are preventable. The hospital, delivery doctors, and members of the medical team such as the anesthesiologist may all be liable if their medical malpractice caused your newborn to develop HIE. Obstetricians may also be liable if they failed to properly monitor the health of the baby and the mother.
How much is my newborn’s birth injury claim worth in New Jersey?
At Ferrara & Gable, our Cherry Hill hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyers work with skilled physicians who understand and can explain your child’s birth injury, the type of life your child can expect to live, the types of care that will be necessary, and the cost of that care.
We demand compensation for all the current and future:
- Pain and suffering your child will endure
- Loss of function of any body part
- Loss of quality of life
- Medical bills, including hospital bills, surgeries, therapies, assistive devices, emotional help, and medications
We also seek compensation for any losses you have sustained while caring for your child, including loss of wages or benefits.
If your child died due to birth injury malpractice, we file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the parents. Wrongful death damages include:
- The funeral and burial expenses
The loss of companionship, support, and love your newborn would have provided
Do you have a Cherry Hill HIE lawyer near me?
Ferrara & Gable’s office is located at 601 Longwood Avenue in Cherry Hill, NJ. There’s parking close to the office. The Rt. 38 bus is near our office too. If your child’s health prevents you from coming to our office, we do schedule phone and video conferences.
We’ve helped many parents and personal injury victims obtain strong recoveries. We’ll guide you calmly and clearly through each step of the claims process.
Our Cherry Hill hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyers serve all of South Jersey
At Ferrara & Gable, our Cherry Hill HIE lawyers understand how frightened you are about your child’s health and happiness – and how upset you are because your doctors failed you when you needed them the most. Our lawyers are skilled at showing what steps your physicians should have taken to protect your child instead of hurting your child. We’re skilled at helping clients who have injuries that require a lifetime of medical care.
To assert your newborn’s right to compensation, please call us or contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll fight for the justice your child deserves.