Los Angeles Hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy Lawyer

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a life-altering brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen and blood flow to an infant’s brain during labor or shortly after birth. This devastating condition can result in lifelong disabilities, extensive medical needs, and emotional and financial stress for families. If you believe your child’s HIE diagnosis was caused by medical negligence, you need a Los Angeles hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyer who has real experience handling complex birth injury cases.

Call The Law Office of Dr. Bruce G. Fagel & Associates today to discuss your child’s HIE case in a free consultation. You may be entitled to significant compensation to help secure your child’s future.

Why Hire Our Los Angeles Hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy Lawyer?

When it comes to medical malpractice cases involving brain injuries, experience matters. Many attorneys handle personal injury cases, but few focus exclusively on medical malpractice. Dr. Bruce G. Fagel is a licensed physician and a California attorney who has tried and settled more medical malpractice cases than any other attorney in the state.

Over the last two years alone, Dr. Fagel has recovered over $100 million in verdicts and settlements for clients, with more than 40 cases involving catastrophic injury due to medical negligence. This includes numerous HIE cases where babies suffered severe and permanent brain injuries due to delayed delivery, improper fetal monitoring, or failure to respond to signs of fetal distress.

Unlike general personal injury lawyers, our firm understands the specific medical details involved in HIE cases. We know how to analyze fetal heart rate tracings, oxygen saturation levels, and labor and delivery records to find signs of negligence. We also work with medical experts across specialties to build a strong case for you and your child.

What Is Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy?

HIE occurs when an infant’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen (hypoxia) or blood flow (ischemia), leading to brain cell damage. This can happen during labor, delivery, or in the neonatal period. It’s often associated with complications like:

  • Prolonged or difficult labor
  • Umbilical cord problems (such as cord prolapse or compression)
  • Uterine rupture or placental abruption
  • Failure to monitor fetal distress
  • Delayed C-section

In many cases, HIE could have been prevented with proper monitoring and timely medical intervention. When doctors or nurses fail to act quickly, the result can be permanent damage that leads to conditions such as cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and seizure disorders.

Diagnosing HIE

An early and accurate diagnosis of HIE is critical to minimizing long-term harm to the patient. Doctors can properly identify HIE through a combination of both clinical observation and medical testing, including utilizing tools such as:

  • Apgar scores taken immediately after birth to assess the baby’s heart rate, reflexes, and breathing.
  • Blood gas testing, which measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
  • Neuroimaging scans, such as MRI or CT scans, to detect areas of brain injury.
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring to identify seizure activity or abnormal brain function.

Failing to diagnose HIE in a timely manner can lead to devastating, irreversible damage. Doctors are expected to monitor the mother and baby closely during labor and act quickly if signs of distress appear. When they fail to do so, they may be held liable for medical negligence as a result.

Symptoms of HIE

The symptoms of HIE can vary depending on the severity of the oxygen deprivation. In mild cases, a baby might recover fully, but in severe cases, the outcome can be lifelong disability.

Some of the most common signs of HIE include:

  • Irregular breathing
  • Low heart rate
  • Poor muscle tone
  • Limpness
  • Difficulty feeding and swallowing
  • Seizures
  • Abnormal reflexes
  • Pale or bluish skin color

Newborns with these symptoms require immediate medical attention, as a delay in providing proper care can make the condition substantially worse.

Long-Term Effects of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Prompt treatment notwithstanding, HIE can lead to long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. The extent of these effects depends on the amount of time the baby’s brain was deprived of oxygen and the areas affected.

Possible long-term effects include:

  • Cerebral palsy and other movement disorders
  • Developmental delays/learning disabilities
  • Hearing and vision loss
  • Seizure disorders such as epilepsy
  • Behavioral and attention difficulties
  • Speech and communication problems

If any of these effects are present, families may be entitled to take legal action and recover compensation based on every consequence (both economic and non-economic).

Rehabilitation Following Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Children diagnosed with HIE may require a combination of ongoing treatments and therapies to improve their quality of life. Rehabilitation focuses on helping them reach their fullest potential despite the injury.

Common rehabilitation strategies include the following:

  • Physical therapy to strengthen muscles and improve mobility
  • Occupational therapy to develop motor skills and independence
  • Speech therapy to enhance communication abilities
  • Behavioral and educational support tailored to the child’s developmental needs
  • Assistive devices, such as braces or adaptive technology, to improve daily function

HIE often leads to lifelong medical treatment and care, making early intervention a practical necessity. At The Law Offices of Dr. Bruce G. Fagel & Associates, we understand the immense challenges these families face and will do everything in our power to help you recover maximum compensation.

Why You Need an Experienced HIE Lawyer

Our legal team is dedicated to holding negligent medical providers accountable and helping families obtain the compensation they need for lifelong care. This can include money for:

  • Medical expenses (past and future)
  • In-home nursing care
  • Assistive technology
  • Special education and therapy
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering

We will guide you through the legal process with compassion and transparency. We know this is a painful and overwhelming time, and our goal is to take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child.

Take the Next Steps Today

If your child has been diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in Los Angeles and you suspect medical negligence, don’t wait. Your family deserves answers – and justice.

At The Law Office of Dr. Bruce G. Fagel & Associates, we are committed to fighting for children who have suffered preventable brain injuries and the families who care for them. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll HIE can take – and we’re here to help you seek the compensation your child needs for a lifetime of care.

Call us now at (800) 541-9376 or complete our online form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you get the justice and support your child deserves.