One of the more serious birth injuries is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). HIE occurs when an infant's brain is deprived of oxygen and blood flow. This type of brain injury is severe and commonly results in the wrongful death or permanent disability of a baby. HIE typically occurs during the childbirth process or just after it.
Where the loss is not immediately addressed through medcial intervention, the child can suffer permanent brain damage.
Doctors, nurses and other meidcal staff may be able to act quickly to prevent or reduce the extent of a brain injury from an hypoxic event in a couple of ways. For example, at the first signs of fetal distress, performing an emegency C-Section may be warranted to quicklly deliver the child and restore oxygen and blood flow. Additionally, if an infant is delivered with HIE, cooling therapy may be available to reverse the brain damage, or to imit its effect. In certain sitatuions, the failure to reduce or prevent the extent of injury may be considered medical malpractice.
For more information or if your child has suffered a birth injury and you would like a confidential consultation concerning your matter, please contact the experienced Los Angeles birth injury lawyers at Bostwick Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.
