Washington, D.C. HIE Lawyers

A diagnosis of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) can be devastating for new parents. Understanding more about your child’s diagnosis and your legal rights is the first step towards obtaining the financial resources you need to provide the care they need. At ABC Law Centers, we focus exclusively on birth injury cases, including HIE and related diagnoses. Reach out today to learn more about your legal options. 

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is an injury caused by a lack of oxygen and blood flow to a baby’s brain at or near the time of birth. HIE can often result in severe brain injury and lifelong repercussions.

Cells throughout the body require oxygen to survive, especially brain cells. Without proper oxygenation, cells will die. Lack of oxygen and subsequent cell death can result in mental and/or physical disabilities such as

• intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)
• learning disabilities
• seizures
• HIE
• cerebral palsy

The extent and seriousness of the damage depends on the length of time that the baby was without oxygen. Usually, the longer a baby goes without oxygen, the more severe the damage. Significant brain damage can occur in as little as 5 minutes. Roughly 25% of babies born with HIE have significant long-term neurodevelopmental impairments.

HIE can be caused by numerous factors, and sometimes it can be prevented. Unfortunately, an HIE diagnosis is commonly associated with medical malpractice when doctors and other medical staff di not correctly follow standards of care and consequently make an error during pregnancy, birth, and/or delivery.

Birth injuries are emotionally difficult for parents, and the added financial costs for their child’s care can be overwhelming. the skilled Washington, D.C. HIE lawyers at ABC Law Centers can help you bring a birth injury lawsuit and work to obtain justice on behalf of your child. A successful lawsuit gives you the chance to secure financial compensation to help ensure your child is taken care of for the rest of their life.

However, there is a time limit to file a lawsuit, known as a statute of limitations.

As soon as malpractice is suspected, it’s important to speak with a Washington, D.C. birth injury attorney to ask questions and better understand your options.

The statute of limitations for HIE lawsuits differs by state. Some states leave as little as two years from the date of the child’s injury to file a suit for them as a minor and may provide a different timeline for parents to file their own claim. The statute can also change depending on the facility where the malpractice or negligence occurred in.

In Washington, D.C., you have 3 years from the date of the injury to file a parental claim regarding a birth injury case. Claims filed on behalf of the injured child must be made by their 21st birthday.

Birth injury lawsuits can take several years. It’s crucial to work with an HIE attorney that only handles birth injury claims. The complexity of the medical records and the related law requires extensive knowledge, experience, and the right network of medical and financial experts.

There are many situations during labor and delivery that – if not promptly treated – can cause HIE. These include:

• Umbilical cord problems such as:
  • Nuchal cord
  • Prolapsed cord
• Problems with the placenta or uterus such as
  • placenta previa
  • placental abruption
  • placental insufficiency
• Tachysystole (excessively frequent uterine contractions)
• Premature birth
• Medication errors during induction with pitocin or cytotec
• Complications related to the baby’s size or position such as breech or cephalopelvic disproportion (baby’s head is too large to fit through the mother’s pelvis)
• Elevated fetal heart resting tone in between contractions
• Fetal monitoring errors
• Infant intercranial hemorrhages (brain bleeds)
• Delayed delivery of the baby, delayed emergency C-section
• Untreated medical conditions or infections in the mother, such as high blood pressure (preeclampsia)

It can be difficult for parents to recognize if their child’s HIE was due to malpractice. It can look different based on each individual case. Newborns suspected of HIE will most likely need critical care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), specific treatment like head cooling (hypothermia therapy), and will usually undergo  head imaging done. Additional signs and symptoms of HIE at birth may include the following:

• The newborn needed resuscitation
• Low APGAR scores for longer than 5 minutes
• Seizures within the first two days of birth
• Difficulty with feeding; not being able to latch, suck or swallow
• The baby’s blood is acidic/has a low pH (abnormal  umbilical cord blood gases)
• Hypotonia
• Multiple organ problems (affecting the lungs, liver, heart, intestines, etc.)
• No brain stem reflexes (for example, breathing problems and an abnormal response to light)
• Signs of fetal distress

HIE is confirmed through various kinds of tests and brain imaging studies such as MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, ultrasounds, blood glucose tests, arterial blood gas tests, and EEGs. In order to perform these tests, doctors must first suspect HIE. If the birth was traumatic or the newborn is exhibiting any of the signs and symptoms above, testing should be performed.

The Attorneys at ABC Law Centers: Birth Injury Lawyers devote our entire practice to birth injury cases. We have first-hand experience working in Washington, D.C. on birth injury cases involving HIE, cerebral palsy, and other serious birth-related conditions.

Our unique focus means that we have a thorough knowledge of the complex medical aspects of birth trauma cases. Our firm works closely with a network of renowned medical, economic and forensics experts, and our attorneys have been consistently recognized for their work in birth injury.

We know parents facing these life-altering circumstances have many questions and concerns. That’s why we offer free consultations—to answer your questions, explain the complicated legal process, and provide peace of mind about your child’s future. We do not charge you any fees during entire legal process. You only pay legal fees if we successfully resolve your case.

Contact our Washington, D.C. HIE lawyers and our compassionate team of birth injury professionals by calling (248) 593-5100 or completing the contact form below. Don’t wait any longer to start protecting your child’s future. Reach out today.