When your baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen during birth, every second counts. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the most serious birth injuries, often resulting from delayed responses to fetal distress, umbilical cord complications, or failures in monitoring. Your child may face cerebral palsy, seizures, developmental disabilities, or lifelong cognitive challenges—outcomes that proper medical care could have prevented.
At The Janda Law Firm, our Vegas injury lawyers know what it takes to help families secure justice after an HIE diagnosis. Led by Dr. Paul Janda—the only board-certified Neurologist-Attorney in Nevada—we combine deep medical knowledge with aggressive legal advocacy to build the strongest possible case for your family. You pay nothing unless we win, so you can focus on your child’s care while we handle the legal fight.
What Is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy?
HIE occurs when your newborn’s brain doesn’t receive adequate oxygen and blood flow during or shortly after birth. This deprivation causes brain cells to become damaged or die, leading to permanent changes in how the brain functions. HIE most commonly affects newborns who experience complications during labor and delivery.
The severity of HIE varies. Mild to moderate cases may present symptoms like:
- Weak or tense muscle tone
- Difficulty feeding
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- A weak cry
- A pale or bluish skin tone
In cases that involve severe HIE, your infant may have little to no response to touch or sound, poor reflexes, abnormal breathing patterns, an irregular heartbeat, seizures, or loss of consciousness.
Causes of Oxygen Deprivation During Birth
When HIE occurs during labor and delivery, it is often the result of preventable medical errors. Healthcare providers have a duty to monitor both mother and baby closely, recognize warning signs of distress, and respond appropriately. If a doctor or nurse fails to meet this standard of care, they can be held liable for medical malpractice.
Negligence-related causes of oxygen deprivation during birth include:
- Failure to monitor fetal heart rate or respond to signs of distress shown on monitoring strips
- Delayed or improper response to umbilical cord complications
- Failure to perform a timely C-section when vaginal delivery becomes dangerous
- Improper use of delivery instruments like forceps or vacuum extractors
- Medication errors that affect the mother’s blood pressure or the baby’s oxygen supply
- Failure to diagnose or treat maternal conditions like preeclampsia or placental abruption
Building a Medical Malpractice Case for HIE with The Janda Law Firm
Proving medical malpractice in an HIE case requires demonstrating that your healthcare providers breached the accepted standard of care and that this breach directly caused your child’s injury. In birth injury cases, this often involves showing that warning signs were missed, protocols weren’t followed, or interventions were unreasonably delayed.
Medical malpractice cases matter because they hold negligent providers accountable and secure compensation for the extensive medical care, therapies, and support your child will need throughout their life. These cases can be challenging to handle alone, but the Las Vegas birth injury attorneys at The Janda Law Firm will guide you through the process with compassion and a deep commitment to justice.
Contact a Las Vegas Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Lawyer Today
If your child developed HIE due to malpractice, you do not have to face the legal battle alone. The Janda Law Firm has the medical knowledge and legal experience to investigate complex HIE cases. We will leave no stone unturned to prove your right to compensation. Contact us at (702) 758-8888 for a free consultation and let our Las Vegas birth injury lawyer fight for your child’s future.