What Is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)?
HIE is a type of brain injury that occurs when a baby’s brain does not receive enough oxygen and blood. This can happen before birth, during labor or delivery, or shortly after birth. In many cases, timely recognition of fetal distress and appropriate intervention can significantly reduce or prevent HIE.
Common Medical Errors
- Failure to recognize and act on non-reassuring fetal heart rate patterns
- Delays in ordering or performing a C-section
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction
- Umbilical cord prolapse or compression not addressed in time
- Failure to provide brain cooling (hypothermia therapy) when indicated
Conditions Linked to HIE
- Cerebral palsy
- Seizure disorders
- Developmental delays
- Feeding and swallowing difficulties
- Cognitive and behavioral challenges
How We Investigate HIE & Birth Injury Cases
- Free case review — we listen to your story and review your child’s diagnoses.
- Record collection — we obtain prenatal records, labor and delivery notes, fetal monitoring strips and NICU records.
- Expert evaluation — qualified medical experts determine whether the standard of care was violated.
- Life-care planning — for severe injuries, we consult life-care planners to estimate lifetime care costs.
If negligence played a role, we pursue compensation for medical care, therapy, equipment, home modifications and your child’s future needs.