Our Michigan birth injury lawyers handle cases involving Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy injuries.  This can be a very serious condition and can affect a child throughout his or her lifetime.  There are occasions in which this injury could have been prevented and this can give rise to a child birth injury medical malpractice lawsuit.

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a medical condition in which damage is caused to the brain due to lack of both oxygen and blood flow to the brain.

Causes and Consequences of Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)

This medical condition often arises during birth. There are many factors that account for HIE such as uterine rupture, cord around baby’s neck, knot in umbilical cord, breech birth or other difficulties in birth. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy can also be caused by stroke, hanging, drowning or any other activity that impedes the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. The irreversible damage can occur due to this condition within minutes.

The damage may also occur in utero. There are instances when the exact cause of HIE in newborns is not determined. Damage caused to the infants can range from very mild to severe. In order to determine the location and severity of the injury, various measures such as EEG, MRI and CAT scans are run.

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy can also be caused due to cerebral palsy, dysphagia, mental retardation, cortical vision impairment, hearing impairment, temperature instability, microcephaly, seizures and chronic lung disease. Any child diagnosed with HIE has a bleak chance to live with full abilities. At the same time, every child found with the disabilities is unique in strengths and needs.

Treatment for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Patients

There is no treatment for HIE. Various therapies aid in oral muscle development, muscle tone and control, and vision. Traditional therapies are also performed. These include:

• Physical therapy, used for gross motor control
• Occupational therapy, used for small muscle control
• Speech and language therapy

Oral stimulation is another form of therapy that is performed by the SLT or the OT, depending on their qualifications.

There are some alternative therapies that are also used. However, the benefits of these therapies are still not proven. A very limited research exists on the internet or elsewhere about Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. As this condition is an underlying cause for so many other disabilities, it makes it quite difficult to determine the exact cause, and consequently the specialist who would treat the patient best. This makes it difficult for parents to properly address all the needs of their suffering infant.

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy may affect a child socially, academically, and vocationally throughout childhood and even into adulthood.  The child may require physical therapy, medical procedures, and other services that can be a significant expense over the course of his or her lifetime.  These types of damage requests are included in a medical malpractice lawsuit filed for the condition of Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

Our Michigan birth injury lawyers specialize in birth injury cases involving forceps injuries.  Forceps birth injuries can result into serious complications for the newborn. At times, these injuries are caused by a professional caregiver’s negligence, causing birth injuries that can even endanger the life of the newborns.

Forceps Injuries

Child birth complications such as breech position, prolonged labor or large baby delivery may require the use of forceps to deliver the baby safely. The use of forceps is only permissible if the baby appears to be in extreme distress, when the mother finds it hard to push, or when the position of the fetus in the birth canal is not correct. The shape and structure of forceps allow them to be clamped on the sides of the infant’s head. But this also puts the baby at risk for damage if the procedure goes wrong.

Causes of Forceps Injuries

If properly performed, forceps delivery can save the fetus’ life, or prevent it from deprivation of oxygen. If the fetus remains without oxygen for a long time, severe brain damage may occur. As such, the only option may be to use the forceps. However, due to vulnerability of the skull, the physicians must exercise a lot of care when performing forceps delivery.

Forceps injuries not only occur for infants, but may even be harmful for the mothers who stand increased risks for urinary tract infections, lacerations and rectum injuries.

Effects of Forceps Injuries

Cerebral palsy and facial nerve damage are two of the most severe risks of these deliveries.  Facial nerve damage may cause permanent facial asymmetry that is especially evident when the baby laughs or cries. Cerebral palsy is a condition that develops when the cerebrum of the brain is damaged. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for cerebral palsy, and it is considered a very expensive developmental disability over the course of a lifetime.

Contact a Michigan Forceps Injury Malpractice Lawyer

If an infant suffers injuries due to the negligent use of forceps, it can give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit.  Babies who suffer forceps injuries often develop conditions that can affect the social, academic and vocational upbringing of the infant. These often require services that amount to a significant expense over a child’s lifetime and are sought as damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

It is essential to contact our office as soon as possible so that we can obtain your child’s complete medical chart to determine whether there was negligence involved in the treatment.  There are strict time delays for filing medical malpractice lawsuits in Michigan so it is essential to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to see if your child has valid case.

Our Michigan birth injury lawyers handle cases involving sepsis. This is a bacterial infection that can originate and attack many parts of the body such as lungs, skin, intestines and urinary tract. Sepsis can even be fatal for your infant. There are incidents when this infection should have diagnosed and treated properly, and your newborn could have been prevented from harm. In such circumstances, there may be a child birth injury medical malpractice lawsuit.

Sepsis Facts

Sepsis is a serious infection caused by bacteria. It can originate in various parts of the body to produce toxins that cause the body immune system to attacks own tissues and organs.  Sepsis can lead to some very serious complications that affect the lungs, brain, kidneys, hearing, and can even be fatal. Though sepsis can affect people of all ages, it is common in babies under the age of 3 months.

Sepsis Symptoms

When sepsis occurs, bacteria and toxins produced by them cause changes in the patient’s body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and can even result in dysfunction of a body organ.  It is essential that the condition is timely diagnosed and treated by doctors and hospitals to prevent serious injury and harm to the baby.

If an infant suffers injuries due to sepsis that was not timely diagnosed and treated, it can give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit.  Children with severe sepsis often develop conditions that can affect the social, academic and vocational upbringing of the infant. These often require services that amount to a significant expense over a child’s lifetime and are sought as damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Contact a Michigan Sepsis Infection Malpractice Lawyer

It is essential to contact our office as soon as possible so that we can obtain your child’s complete medical chart to determine whether there was negligence involved in the treatment.  There are strict time delays for filing medical malpractice lawsuits in Michigan so it is essential to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to see if your child has valid case.

Our Michigan birth injury lawyers handle cases involving umbilical cord clamping. Clamping the umbilical cord of a newborn too early after birth can lead to some life threatening results. It can deprive the newborn of oxygen supply and lead to brain damage and other permanent conditions.

Research has suggested that cutting the cord very quickly upon delivery can reduce the baby’s oxygen supply which can cause damage to the brain. It can also deprive the newborn of nutrient rich blood in the minutes before they start the breathing function.  It is also believed that this can lead to brain hemorrhaging, mental impairment including autism and iron deficiencies in the newborn..

In many healthcare facilities, umbilical cords are clamped instantly after birth because medical science has believed for the last 20 years that this reduces the risk of mother’s bleeding to death.

However, many health experts now believe that the risk posed to the baby by doing this practice outweighs the harm to the mother. They believe at least 3 minutes or more should elapse before the umbilical cord is cut.

Contact a Michigan Umbilical Cord Clamping Malpractice Lawyer

If an infant suffers injuries due to improper umbilical cord clamping, it can give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit.  Children who suffer brain damage and other injuries due to this negligence often require special social, academic and vocational services over their lifetime. These often require services that amount to a significant expense over a child’s lifetime and are sought as damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

It is essential to contact our office as soon as possible so that we can obtain your child’s complete medical chart to determine whether there was negligence involved in the treatment.  There are strict time delays for filing medical malpractice lawsuits in Michigan so it is essential to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to see if your child has valid case.

Fetal asphyxia is a medical condition that occurs when a newborn does not receive adequate oxygen supply before, during or just after birth. The condition has serious effect on the mental and physical development of your newborn. There are cases when Fetal asphyxia occurred due to the caregiver’s negligence, causing a birth injury. If you believe you or a loved one had suffered fetal asphyxia due to medical negligence, you should contact one of our Michigan birth injury lawyers.

Causes of Fetal Asphyxia

Some causes of reduced oxygen supply before or during birth are:

• Inadequate oxygen in blood of the mother
• Low blood pressure of mother
• early separation of placenta from uterus
• umbilical cord compression

Factors that reduce oxygen in blood after birth are:

• low blood pressure
• heart/lung disease
• respiratory problems
• severe anemia

Lower levels of oxygen cause the newborn to have a reduced flow of blood, decreased heart rate and a lower blood pressure. This can restrict the flow of blood to organs and tissues, causing an improper function of the body cells. This may also cause cell damage. Organs such as brain, heart, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, lungs and kidneys can be among those affected by this condition.

Signs & Symptoms of Fetal Asphyxia

Some common symptoms of Fetal asphyxia include:

1.       Symptoms before delivery

• Abnormal heart rate
• Increased acidity level in Fetal’ blood

2.       Symptoms at birth

• Low heart rate
• Pale skin color
• Weak cry
• Weak muscle tone
• Weak breathing

Treatment for Fetal Asphyxia

Fetal asphyxia is a complex condition, quite difficult to prevent. It can be minimized with prompt treatment.

Treatment depends on:

• Infant’s age, health and medical history
• Severity of the infant’s condition
• Infant’s tolerance for medications and procedures

Treatment can include:

• C-section or emergency delivery
• Giving large amount of oxygen to the mother before delivery
• Assisted ventilation to help the infant breathe
• ECMO – extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Contact a Michigan Fetal Asphyxia Malpractice Lawyer

If an infant suffers injuries due to fetal asphyxia that was not timely diagnosed and treated, it can give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit.  Children with fetal asphyxia often develop conditions that can affect the social, academic and vocational upbringing of the infant. These often require services that amount to a significant expense over a child’s lifetime and are sought as damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

It is essential to contact our office as soon as possible so that we can obtain your child’s complete medical chart to determine whether there was negligence involved in the treatment.  There are strict time delays for filing medical malpractice lawsuits in Michigan so it is essential to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to see if your child has valid case.