Philadelphia Brain Hypoxia Injury Lawyer
Anoxia is complete deprivation of oxygen to the brain, while hypoxia is partial deprivation of oxygen. Both can cause serious injury to the baby’s organs and the brain itself, resulting in a wide range of developmental problems. Any brain injury, including short-term hypoxia, is a serious matter that needs to be investigated by an attorney. If it is found that the hospital or doctor acted negligently, you will be able to seek damages for your child by filing a medical malpractice claim. The Philadelphia brain hypoxia injury lawyer at The Villari Firm, PLLC cares deeply about our clients, and works closely with parents to achieve their goals throughout the entirety of the malpractice claim process.
What is a Hypoxia Birth Injury?
Our brains need a constant flow of oxygen. Even a brief lapse in oxygen (or a brief period of time during which not enough oxygen is delivered) can result in physical damage to the brain tissue. Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen before, during, or right after delivery. HIE is the term generally used to describe any type of hypoxia during delivery. HIE can occur due to doctor negligence, and also in non preventable scenarios as well.
Complications Of Neonatal Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
The longer a baby’s brain goes without enough oxygen, the more damage is caused. There are many potential causes and contributing factors to HIE, and doctor error is one of them. Babies born with HIE may have life-long neurological or developmental issues. Complications can include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Learning difficulties
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Epilepsy
- And other even more complications
Causes of HIE Hypoxia During Birth
There are dozens of ways in which hypoxia can occur during a delivery. Medical providers have a duty of care to provide a high standard of treatment for mothers and babies during childbirth. Below are some of the ways in which hypoxia can occur but should have been avoided if the doctor had upheld the standard of care:
- A delayed C-section
- A failure to diagnose a stroke, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, or another complication that reduces blood flow to the brain
- Failure to diagnose a serious infection, congenital heart disease, or abnormal blood vessel within the brain
- Failure to respond to fetal distress
- Failure to diagnose macrosomia
- Failure to diagnose cephalopelvic disproportion
- Placental abruption
- Shoulder dystocia
- Umbilical cord prolapse
- Umbilical cord impingement
- An overdose of medication
- Giving a baby or mother the wrong type of medication
- Other forms of oxygen deprivation
Contact a Philadelphia Hypoxia Injury Attorney Today
Oxygen deprivation resulting in hypoxia can cause permanent learning disabilities in children, ADHD, cerebral palsy, permanent brain damage, and death. In many cases, hypoxia injuries should have been prevented had the doctor and other medical providers done their jobs properly. Misdiagnosis and failure to respond accordingly before and during delivery are top causes of hypoxia brain injuries. To hold the appropriate party responsible, do not hesitate to call the Philadelphia hypoxia injury attorneys at The Villari Firm today at 215-372-8889 for a free consultation.
