Sterling Heights, Michigan Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Lawyers

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE; Birth Asphyxia) Attorneys in Sterling Heights, Michigan

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of infant brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation. Also referred to as birth asphyxia, intrapartum asphyxia, or neonatal encephalopathy (NE), hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy may occur before, during, or right after labor and delivery. Hypoxic ischemic events (the oxygen-depriving scenarios) may occur from a decreased amount of oxygen in the blood (hypoxia) or a diminished flow of blood to the brain (ischemia). While the brain damage caused by HIE has varying degrees of severity, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is a serious pregnancy, labor and delivery emergency that can lead to cerebral palsy, neurodevelopmental impairments, developmental delays, motor control issues, seizure disorders, cognitive challenges, and even death.

We hope that the information on this page and throughout this site helps introduce you to the process of birth injury litigation. Learning about hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is the first step towards creating a lifetime care plan for your loved one. Please reach out to our Sterling Heights, Michigan hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) lawyers with any legal inquiries, questions, or concerns—you may call us toll-free at (888) 592-1857 or fill out our online contact form.

How Can Money from a Medical Malpractice Settlement Help My Loved One with HIE?

Affording Medical and Lifestyle Supports

Individuals with permanent brain damage and lasting disabilities from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy typically live with a range of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social challenges. While there are a number of wonderful support, therapy, medical, and lifestyle programs available to individuals with HIE in Sterling Heights, Michigan, many are financially unattainable. It pains our Sterling Heights HIE attorneys to know how many individuals with HIE from medical malpractice fail to receive proper treatment and support because they never take legal action. We understand the great strides individuals with traumatic birth injuries can make with the proper support—for decades our Sterling Heights, Michigan hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) lawyers have successfully secured funds for clients with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy from instances of medical malpractice. Money from a successful medical malpractice settlement will help afford treatment, therapy, assistive technology, adaptive equipment, educational supports, specialized housing, transportation, and much more.

Detecting Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: Signs and Symptoms

Identifying Cases of HIE in Sterling Heights, Michigan

While hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy may become apparent immediately after birth for some, signs and symptoms of HIE don’t appear until much later for others. Below, we’ve listed some of the clinical signs and symptoms for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. In order to preserve and rehabilitate a child’s abilities after a hypoxic ischemic event, it is crucial to identify these signs as early as possible.

Hypotonia (low muscle tone)
Acidity in the blood
Feeding issues (including the inability to such, latch, or swallow)
Motor skill impairments or abnormalities
Speech, language, and communication challenges
The need for resuscitation right after birth
Low Apgar scores in the first minutes of life

Diagnosing Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Diagnostic Methods for HIE in Sterling Heights, Michigan

Some diagnostic methods used to detect hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy include brain imaging techniques (MRIs, CTs, echocardiograms, evoked potential tests, EEGs), blood glucose level tests, ultrasonic testing, arterial blood gas tests, Apgar scores, and more. Sterling Heights, Michigan medical professionals must quickly and accurately diagnose HIE in order to begin treatment and therapy.

Treating HIE in Sterling Heights, Michigan

Treatment and Therapy for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

There is only one form of treatment for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy—hypothermia treatment. Also known as brain cooling, hypothermia treatment is a process in which the newborn’s body temperature is cooled to roughly 91 degrees Fahrenheit for three days (72 hours). Lowering the body’s temperature allows brain cells to recover from oxygen deprivation, ultimately halting the progression of the brain injury. To learn more about hypothermia treatment and its neonatal eligibility requirements, visit our linked page on hypothermia treatment.

Beyond hypothermia treatment, all forms of therapy for HIE are designed to help individuals recover from and adjust to any injuries, conditions, or complication associated with the original brain injury.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: Causes and Risk Factors

Medical Malpractice and HIE in Sterling Heights, Michigan

There are several complications and situations that can occur during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the post-partum period that can cause HIE. Sterling Heights medical professionals are required to prevent, treat, and manage any of the following causes and risk factors for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy:

Preterm birth
Post term delivery
Uteroplacental insufficiency
Fetal stroke
Umbilical cord problems
- Nuchal cords
- Umbilical cord compression
- Umbilical cord prolapse
- Short umbilical cord length
Preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced high blood pressure)
Abnormal amniotic fluid levels
- Oligohydramnios
- Polyhydramnios
Anesthesia mistakes
Post-delivery fetal respiration mistakes
Delayed emergency C-section
Intracranial hemorrhages
Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)
Placental abruption
Uterine rupture
Hyperstimulation of the uterus
Abnormal fetal size and presentation
- Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD)
- Breech presentation
- Face Presentation
- Macrosomia
Prolonged and arrested labor
Vaginal Birth after Cesarean section (VBAC) deliveries

Financial Compensation for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Victims

Sterling Heights, Michigan Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Lawyers & Attorneys

Our Sterling Heights HIE attorneys provide unparalleled service to their clients. As one of the only law firms solely handling birth trauma medical malpractice cases in Michigan, the HIE lawyers at Michigan Cerebral Palsy Attorneys have extensive knowledge about the legal and medical aspects of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. We encourage you to reach out for a free legal consultation with our Sterling Heights, Michigan HIE attorneys today—you may call us toll-free at (888) 592-1857 or contact us online.

Additional Information on HIE

There’s a lot of information on hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy out there—our Sterling Heights, Michigan hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) lawyers have organized a lot of this information into easy-to-read resources for your convenience. Below, you’ll find information related to HIE blogs, HIE resources specific to Sterling Heights, HIE images, and more.

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