When Medical Malpractices Results in HIE Causing Seizures: Our Oregon Birth Injury Lawyers Explain Your Rights
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is a very serious health condition which could change the life of a newborn forever. Also known as HIE, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is when there is an oxygen deprivation to the baby causing a brain injury due to a lack of oxygenation blood flow. This could be caused by a decrease in blood flow to the brain, or it could be caused by the blood flow being completely shut off. Any type of brain injury is catastrophic to a newborn because a baby’s brain is rapidly developing. Even minor damage due to HIE could have big consequences. One such consequence is HIE causing seizures for a newborn baby. Our Oregon birth injury lawyers know how devastating this condition can be for an innocent child.
This is because the damage that HIE does to the brain will almost always be permanent. This is because the brain does not heal like a broken bone or torn muscle. Damage to the brain can result in prolonged injury and issues for a young child. In fact, any type of brain injury to a newborn could result in permanent disability. This could affect a child’s development in a massive way. In the future, children may also require special services and therapy, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and many other types of treatment. Adults who suffer from HIE could also have problems caring for themselves on a daily basis and be unable to hold a job. There are serious consequences to children who have damage from HIE.
What is HIE? Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Birth Injury Lawyers
HIE is a type of brain damage caused to newborns. This is when there is an oxygen deprivation to the brain from a lack of blood flow to the brain. Damage from HIE is usually caused during the labor and delivery process. Newborns with HIE could have a wide array of disabilities from the damage. This includes cerebral palsy, developmental delays, or seizures. Generally, the longer that the condition of HIE is allowed to exist, the more severe the disability to the individual.
There are many causes of HIE could result in serious injuries to a newborn. This includes some of the following:
- Umbilical cord prolapse;
- Umbilical cord rupture;
- Excessive contractions which constrict the baby’s chest and the blood flow through the umbilical cord;
- Meconium aspiration;
- Clogged airway;
- Failing to monitor for fetal distress;
- Overdosing on medication or administrating too much, including Pitocin;
- Dropping the baby on his or her head and causing a hemorrhage;
- Brain bleeds that are not treated;
- Other bleeding that is not stopped;
- Trauma from extraction including vacuum extraction or forceps; and
- Many other similar injuries.
Each of these injuries could cause a brain injury by affecting the blood flow to the brain.
Seizures in Newborns
Seizures are an electrical storm in a person’s brain that send random impulses. These impulses could paralysis part of the body, result in random twitches and convulsions, or a combination of the two. Some seizures can be very powerful and dangerous by resulting in uncontrollable and violent shaking. The more aggressive seizures can result in the death of an individual, especially a baby.
There are different types of seizures in a baby. This includes the three general types:
Tonic Seizures – Stiffing and tightening of muscle groups, usually resulting in the baby’s head turning to one side with the eyes going that direction too;
Clonic Seizures – This is rhythmic jerking, twisting, shaking, and other erratic movements that involve the face, arms, legs, and sometimes other parts of the body. This is generally what most people will believe a seizure looks like.
Myoclonic Seizures – Quick and single jerks, yanks, twists, or other reactions in one arm or leg, but it can also affect the entire body. These types of seizures could be sporadic or they could be chained together in a serious of myoclonic events.
HIE Causing Seizures in Newborns
There are many different possible causes of seizures. While there is some idea what causes some seizures, other times doctors really do not know what causes other seizures. Once a person has seizures, it could be risky and result in seizures throughout the person’s entire live. When a baby has a seizure, the most common cause is some type of birth injury or damage to the brain. A lack of oxygen could very well be the cause of this type of seizure.
Newborns who have damage from HIE are at an increased risk for having serious birth injuries including seizure disorders. Seizures are always serious especially for newborns. Parents may be horrified to see their newborn have a seizure, and even more terrified when it continues to happen. Anytime anyone has a seizure it should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. This is particularly true in a newborn and if a newborn was ever diagnosed with HIE.
Ask Our Oregon Birth Injury Lawyers to Review Any Cases of HIE Causing Seizures
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.
