When a Doctor or Hospital Causes Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a type of birth injury that can lead to a permanent disability, such as cerebral palsy or mental retardation.  This birth injury refers to the damage done to the cells in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) caused by lack of oxygen.  If your baby has been diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, you need to find out what caused the oxygen deprivation that led to this serious injury.

When there is a lack of oxygen to an infant’s brain, after only five minutes the brain cells will begin to die.  In cases involving babies, birth injury is the most frequent cause of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

During the labor and delivery process, errors can occur.  Hospitals and doctors sometimes make mistakes that affect expectant mothers and babies.  Birth injuries can result from a delayed C-section or a prolonged birth.  If the infant is in the birth canal too long, the umbilical cord was prolapsed, fetal heartbeat was misread or if the doctor did not respond promptly to a complication, the baby can be injured.  Any of these events can lead to a lack of oxygen, which can cause brain damage in infants.

Not every case of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is the result of hospital error or doctor error, but there are some cases that could have been prevented if the appropriate measures had been taken.  If you are not sure what caused your baby to experience hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, you should have an experienced Virginia medical malpractice lawyer review your case.  The medical malpractice attorneys at Tavss Fletcher will be able to look at the details of your case to determine who was at fault and if you are entitled to compensation for your child’s injuries.  Contact Tavss Fletcher today at 757-625-1214 today to review your case.   

The article, Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Caused by Medical Errors, has more information on this topic.