Ohio Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Lawyers

All expecting parents wish for a happy and healthy baby. It can be scary if unexpected complications happen during labor and delivery. And it is devastating to learn that your baby suffered from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) at birth. Unfortunately, many people don’t know that HIE is an injury frequently caused by medical malpractice.

During this overwhelming time, an Ohio hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyer can help you better understand what happened during labor and delivery, and what your legal options are.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain injury that occurs when a baby does not get enough oxygen. Researchers estimate that HIE occurs in about 1.5 per 1,000 live births and causes 23% of neonatal deaths worldwide.

HIE babies often develop lifelong conditions such as cerebral palsy (CP), seizure disorders like epilepsy, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. In many cases, HIE is associated with medical malpractice during late pregnancy, labor and delivery, or shortly after birth.

HIE can be caused by numerous factors, but it can be prevented. Medical malpractice can occur when doctors and other medical staff don’t follow standards of care and make mistakes that injure the baby. If the medical staff act according to standards of care, like delivering in time when a baby is not getting enough oxygen, the baby will be less likely to suffer from HIE.

Many parents may not know how medical staff should act. However, parents should still feel encouraged to speak up if they feel something is wrong.

Parents have the right to:

• Ask their medical providers questions about their care and treatment
• Know which medications they have been prescribed and for what reason
• Consent or withdraw consent for certain medications or treatments
• Ask for a patient advocate if they feel their medical team is not communicating with them or acting in their best interest

Medical staff should fulfill all their duties to properly care for their pregnant patients. If you suspect that your medical team made an error in your care, reach out to our Ohio HIE lawyers to explore your options. We’re here to answer your questions, absolutely free.

Not only is an HIE diagnosis emotionally difficult, but the added costs for your child’s care can be overwhelming. An HIE lawsuit can obtain justice on behalf of your child. A lawsuit provides a chance to secure financial compensation for your child and ensure that they’re taken care of for the rest of their life.

Our Ohio hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyers have worked with families like yours for over 25 years. We’ve had the privilege to advocate for their children and see what difference a successful verdict or settlement can make in their lives. Important resources that your child can access with the financial award include:

• Essential medical care and treatment
• Complementary and alternative therapies
• Recreational and social therapies
• Adaptive or assistive equipment
• Accessible home and/or car modifications
• 24-hour care

This is not a complete list; each child and family will have their own unique needs. If you have questions about how an Ohio hypoxic-ischemic lawyer can help your family, contact our staff anytime.

Speaking with our staff and completing a consultation is completely free. In fact, our firm does not charge clients any fees unless we secure a favorable settlement or verdict for their case.

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

Many parents may not know that they were victims of medical malpractice for years after their child’s birth. In other cases, some parents may feel hesitant to pursue a lawsuit. It can be overwhelming to relive the traumatic experience of the injury. When you have your child’s special needs to prioritize, it can be difficult to think about anything else.

However, it’s important to speak with an Ohio hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyer as soon as you suspect medical malpractice. The statute of limitations varies state-by-state, with some states leaving as little as two years from the date of the child’s injury to file a suit for them as a minor. The statute can also vary depending on what kind of facility the malpractice or negligence occurred in.

In Ohio, you have one year from the date of the injury to file a parental claim regarding a birth injury case. A legal claim filed on behalf of your injured child must be made by their 19th birthday. Please note that these may be subject to change. Contact a lawyer to verify your statute of limitations and understand your options.

Additionally, birth injury lawsuits can take years to litigate. Finding an Ohio HIE lawyer that only handles birth injury is crucial. The complexity of the medical records and the law requires experience and the right network of experts.

The Ohio hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyers at ABC Law Centers exclusively have handled HIE and birth injury cases since 1997. We have an established network of trustworthy attorneys across the country. We have first-hand experience working with co-counsel in Ohio on HIE cases.

HIE lawyer and ABC Law Centers’ president, Jesse Reiter, is licensed to practice cases in Ohio. Jesse has handled a number of HIE cases in Ohio and is devoted to serving families like yours. He has advocated for children with HIE and other birth injuries for decades.

Best Lawyers in America named Jesse in “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in 2019 and 2022. He has also been recognized in Best Lawyers in America for medical malpractice law every year since 2008. To learn more about Jesse’s work and leadership in birth injury, visit his profile.

At our firm, our unique focus on birth injury allows us to provide both knowledge on the complicated medical aspects of these cases and the compassion each family needs for their case. We know how difficult this time can be for your family, which is why we are here to answer your questions. Contact us anytime to learn how we can help you secure your child’s future.

It can be difficult to recognize if your child’s HIE diagnosis resulted from malpractice. It can also look different based on each individual case. Unfortunately, there are numerous risk factors and complications associated with HIE. 

These conditions are common in HIE cases and the families we work with:

• C-section errors and delays
• Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) and Macrosomia (baby getting stuck)
• Fetal monitoring errors
• Failure to recognize signs of fetal distress
• High-risk pregnancy (e.g. one involving gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or obesity)
• Intracranial hemorrhages (brain bleeds)
• Kernicterus
• Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS)
• Neonatal breathing mismanagement
• Oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid) 
• Placental complications
• Preterm birth
• Prolonged and arrested labor
• Umbilical cord issues
• Uterine tachysystole (often resulting from the misuse of contraction-enhancing drugs called Pitocin and Cytotec)
• Vaginal birth after c-section (VBAC)

If your child has HIE, but you did not experience any of the complications above, you may still have a case. An Ohio HIE lawyer can give your family the support and legal representation that you deserve. 

The most important thing that parents or caregivers can do is to secure treatment and therapy (e.g. physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech therapy) for their child at a very young age. The earlier that a child with HIE receives therapy, the larger their functional gains could potentially be. The second step would be to speak with an Ohio hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyer because a verdict or settlement could help pay for the costs of the child’s care that aren’t covered by medical insurance.

Visit our Ohio birth injury page to find additional state resources and support organizations committed to helping children with disabilities.

Our hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyers are consistently recognized for their hard work in the birth injury arena, and we have an extensive track record in providing services to families affected by birth injuries. We provide personalized attention to our clients and keep them informed throughout each step of the legal process.

We help secure parents’ peace of mind knowing their children will be well-cared for throughout their lives. Call us for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will always keep your information completely confidential.