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Representing Victims of Medical Negligence Leading to HIE Birth Injury
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Birth Injury Risk Factors
During labor and delivery, there are certain conditions that could cause a lack of blood and oxygen to a baby's brain. All medical professionals involved in the birth need to look out for conditions such as the following that could greatly increase the risk of infant brain damage:
- Eclampsia
- High blood pressure
- Ruptured uterus
- High uterine pressures
- Abdominal trauma
- Placental abruption
- Hyperstimulation of the uterus
- Prolapsed/compressed umbilical cord
- Maternal seizures
When a woman is in labor, a fetal monitor is used to not only monitor the mother's uterus and contractions, but also the baby's well-being. The fetal monitor strip or baby monitor shows a tracing that reflects the baby's heart rate and response or tolerance to the labor.
The obstetrician, nurse, nurse practitioner or nurse midwife needs to constantly monitor the fetal strips for any signs of fetal distress in the baby. The nurses that partner with our attorneys at The Beasley Firm have worked thousands of hours in the labor, delivery, and neonatal intensive care units. They are very skilled at reading and interpreting fetal monitor strips. Their experience greatly adds to our case investigation.
Hypoxic Brain Injury During Labor & Delivery
Unfortunately, hypoxic brain injuries are often caused by the negligence of another party, such as with labor and delivery mismanagement. For instance, if a baby is not properly monitored during delivery, the doctor might not recognize umbilical cord strangulation, which limits the amount of oxygen that reaches the baby’s brain.
If an obstetrician recognizes fetal distress due to umbilical cord strangulation, they might opt to perform an emergency cesarean section to deliver the baby as soon as possible and reduce the pressure that is causing the lack of oxygen.
Unfortunately, if problems with the baby are not caught in time, there is not much that can be done to treat hypoxic brain injury. The most that can be done is to limit the amount of time the brain goes without oxygen in order to avoid serious injury.
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Medical Malpractice
$100,000,000
Vlazny v. Cavarrocci MD et al: One of the largest medical malpractice verdict in Pennsylvania history. This case involved an adult heart surgeon who operated on a baby who required a relatively simple heart surgery. Dr. Cavarrocci was unfamiliar with the tiny anatomy of a very small, premature neonate, and his lack of knowledge caused the baby to suffer severe brain damage and amputation of his arm.
Medical Malpractice
$55,000,000
Gault v. Norwood: 2nd largest medical malpractice verdict in history. Famous heart surgeon William Norwood performed an unauthorized surgical procedure on Stephen Gault, rendering him severely brain damaged and in permanent need of lifelong care. Norwood operated on a healthy baby's narrow aorta, but performed an unnecessary procedure, stopping the baby's heart and blood flow. Cooling the body too quickly caused irreversible brain damage, leaving the child unable to walk, talk, or care for himself. The $55 million verdict allowed Gault's family to provide him the care he needed.
Medical Malpractice
$20,000,000
The family of twins injured during their Mother’s prenatal care came to Jim Beasley, Jr. and The Beasley Firm to bring a claim against the physicians and hospital that caused catastrophic injuries to the twins. Proving the case was difficult, but The Beasley Firm’s detailed investigation and strong cross examination of the defendants’ experts resulted in one of the largest medical malpractice recoveries in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This recovery, having been brought in one of the more conservative counties in Pennsylvania, is of particular pride to The Beasley Firm, and proves that no matter where negligence occurs, we are there to help our clients.