Intrauterine hypoxia (IH) is one of the most common causes of birth injuries, and refers to oxygen deprivation to the fetus in the womb. Depending on how long the fetus has been deprived of oxygen, a child can be born with a severe physical or mental disability. Infant fatalities, miscarriages, and stillbirths are also often due to hypoxia.
You might have noticed something was wrong soon after your child’s birth or after your child was placed in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), or it might have taken years before you became aware of developmental delays or other medical issues due to hypoxia. Trying to figure out what to do in such a situation can be overwhelming. Fortunately, you’re not alone. Our knowledgeable birth injury attorneys at Jeffrey M. Goldberg Law Offices, PC have years of experience handling complex cases involving hypoxia and other causes of birth injuries. That’s why we have such a strong track record of success. Case results matter here.
There are many reasons a fetus or baby may be deprived of oxygen. These include:
The oxygen supply of both the mother and child need to be closely monitored during labor and delivery. If obstetricians notice any irregularities, they need to act fast and make a decision if they determine that a fetus, baby, or mother:
A lack of oxygen is the most common cause of birth injuries leading to infant brain injuries. Often, such injuries can be prevented if doctors act fast and perform a cesarean section delivery. Doctors and other medical professionals need to quickly diagnose any problems that cause the fetus to be in distress.
There are many warning signs indicating a fetus or newborn child’s oxygen supply was restricted, but some of these warning signs are difficult to identify after the birth of a child. It’s also challenging since many medical professionals do not point out if they made a mistake.
That’s why you should be concerned if the medical staff performs any unusual procedures after the birth of your child. For example, one development in trying to prevent birth injury is the use of cooling. Research has shown that cooling can help prevent or minimize a potential injury from lack of oxygen to the fetal or newborn brain.
Parents trust medical professionals to spot the warning signs that something is wrong. It’s the responsibility of the obstetrician to make the right medical choice for each infant at each stage of the birth process. And when they make the wrong decision, physicians or health care workers need to be held accountable for their actions.
Hypoxia-related medical issues may cause permanent damage or even death. Some of these include:
Hypoxia-related birth injuries can take a tremendous financial toll on families. Depending on the circumstances and severity of your child’s injury or fatality, your family could face hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in medical bills, future in-home care, lost income, and many other expenses.
If your baby suffered from hypoxia, or asphyxia occurred as a result of inadequate monitoring and poor medical decisions, your family may be entitled to compensation for both medical costs and long-term care. The Illinois and Wisconsin hypoxia and asphyxia attorneys at Jeffrey M. Goldberg Law Offices can review your medical records and uncover the truth.
Don’t wait to take legal action. Many states have strict deadlines (known as statutes of limitations) for filing a lawsuit or taking legal action. We can make sure you meet those deadlines and if appropriate, build a strong, compelling legal case on your behalf. Find out how we can help you. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation today.