Birth Injury

Cerebral Palsy: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

After a birth injury occurs, a child may be suffering from cerebral palsy. There are different ways in which cerebral palsy can manifest, such as resulting from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This is a condition in which the brain as a whole does not receive enough oxygen. HIE is often fatal, with as little as five minutes of oxygen deprivation resulting in brain cell death. This can cause long-term damage in children, including intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities, as well as cerebral palsy.

At Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC, our lawyers are sensitive to the needs of parents who are dealing with the injury to or death of their child as the result of HIE. Often, HIE is preventable and occurs as the result of medical malpractice. We are aggressive in our pursuit of a malpractice lawsuit in these cases, as the medical professionals who are responsible had a duty to protect the safety and health of the parents and children. When mistakes and errors occur, it has a lasting impact on a family. Contact us today to learn more about HIE, cerebral palsy and other birth injuries.

Causes and Symptoms of HIE

A HIE birth injury attorney at our firm can help educate you on the causes and symptoms of HIE, and can determine when the cause was the direct result of medical negligence. Some of the common symptoms and causes are included below:

Causes of HIE

  • Delay in performing the delivery
  • Injury or complication during birth
  • Extremely low blood pressure
  • Compression or injury to the trachea that reduces or stops breathing
  • Respiratory failure
  • Blocked or ruptured blood vessel
  • Umbilical cord wrapped around the neck
  • Other choking or strangulation during birth

Symptoms of HIE

  • Seizures
  • Coma
  • No brain stem reflexes
  • Difficulty concentrating or paying attention
  • Poor judgment
  • Poor coordination
  • Lethargy
  • Muscle abnormalities
  • Developmental delays
  • Vision or hearing problems
  • Blindness
  • Mental retardation
  • Learning disabilities

Contact Our Connecticut Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Attorneys

If you are wondering about your options after a birth injury such as HIE or cerebral palsy, please contact our law firm today and schedule an appointment with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer. The initial consultation is free of cost and obligation. From our offices in Bridgeport and New Haven, Connecticut, our personal injury medical malpractice lawyers represent clients throughout the state.