Lake Charles Oxygen Deprivation Injury Attorneys
If your baby suffered an injury from oxygen deprivation due to a medical provider’s negligence during your pregnancy or the baby’s birth, do not hesitate to contact Veron Bice, LLC. You might be entitled to financial compensation for the necessary medical care and other incurred costs.
A birth injury is one of the most traumatic experiences a mother could face. You want your baby to be healthy and safe. However, your doctor, nurse, or another healthcare professional’s error resulted in a serious medical problem. Oxygen deprivation, also known as birth asphyxia, can have life-changing consequences. Brain damage can occur when a fetus or newborn doesn’t receive the oxygen they need.
At Veron Bice, LLC, our Lake Charles birth injury lawyers understand the uphill battle you face while caring for your baby and pursuing legal action against the negligent doctor. You can count on us to take over the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on what matters most – getting your child the treatment they need to recover. We will fight hard for the justice you deserve and aggressively pursue the maximum possible compensation on your behalf.
Call us at 337-310-1600 for a free consultation with one of our dedicated and experienced Lake Charles oxygen deprivation, injury attorneys.
Common Causes of Birth Asphyxia
A baby might not get the necessary oxygen supply for a range of reasons, such as:
- Placenta separation – The placenta could separate from the uterus early, starving the baby of the oxygen they need.
- Shoulder dystocia – A lack of oxygen can result during birth if the baby’s head enters the birth canal, but the shoulders get stuck.
- In-utero trauma – If the mother suffers physical trauma while pregnant, it can disrupt the blood supply to the baby in the womb.
- Umbilical cord issues – A prolapsed umbilical cord cuts off the oxygen supply to the baby. It can happen during or before giving birth.
- Eclampsia and preeclampsia – Preeclampsia is a condition causing high blood pressure during pregnancy. Eclampsia is a severe complication of preeclampsia that leads to seizures due to high blood pressure. These conditions can result in oxygen deprivation in the baby.
The medical team must monitor an expectant mother throughout her pregnancy to check for possible problems and prevent complications. It’s possible to avoid oxygen deprivation with adequate prenatal care. As long as the doctor checks for warning signs and addresses any issues promptly, they could avoid an injury from birth asphyxia.
Brain Damage from Oxygen Deprivation
Damage to the brain can occur around ten minutes after a baby doesn’t receive any oxygen to the brain. Within 25 minutes, the baby could die.
It’s critical for healthcare professionals to pay close attention to the mother and baby’s vitals and take the necessary steps to avoid complications.
The symptoms of oxygen deprivation depend on the grade of the injury to the brain.
Grade 1
A mild injury from oxygen deprivation isn’t always apparent in a newborn. However, the baby might show signs of feeding or sleeping problems. They might also be irritable or hyper-alert.
Grade 2
A Grade 2 injury due to oxygen deprivation can lead to various warnings signs of brain damage, such as:
- Decreased reflexes
- Lack of energy or movement
- Clinical seizures
- Reduced muscle tone and paleness
Grade 3
Grade 3 is the most severe type of injury from a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain. The most common symptoms include:
- Low heartbeat
- Minimal response to stimulation
- Trouble breathing independently
- Reduced muscle tone and paleness
- Clinical seizures
If you notice any signs or symptoms of birth asphyxia, it’s critical to inform your doctor immediately.
Common Treatments of Birth Asphyxia
The treatment your baby needs will depend on the type and severity of the injury. A long period of oxygen deprivation could have debilitating consequences on the child’s development. They could suffer from mental or physical impairments as they grow.
The available treatments for birth asphyxia include:
- Cesarean or emergency delivery
- Administering extra oxygen to the mother if asphyxia occurs during pregnancy
- Hooking up the newborn to a respirator
- Removing fluid from the airways
Severe cases of oxygen deprivation might require additional treatment methods, such as:
- Regulating blood pressure with medications
- Cooling the body with induced hypothermia to prevent brain damage
- Controlling seizures with medications
- Administering nutrition intravenously
- Placing the newborn on life support with a lung and heart pump
- Using a hyperbaric oxygen tank to supply the baby with 100 percent oxygen
- Removing excess waste and supporting the kidneys with dialysis
- Supplying nitric oxide with a breathing tube
Treating mild to moderate birth asphyxia is possible. Your baby could make a full recovery and never experience adverse effects. However, 30 percent of infants with birth asphyxia die within a few days after birth.
Complications of Oxygen Deprivation in Babies
A lack of oxygen before or after birth can lead to various medical problems and disabilities. The most common include:
- Seizures
- Autism
- Impaired or loss of vision
- Cerebral palsy
- Behavioral disorders
- Epilepsy
- ADD/ADHD
It’s often challenging to determine the extent of the injury from birth asphyxia. Immediate and adequate treatment might prevent the many complications that can occur. However, there’s no way of knowing the developmental problems your newborn could face as they grow. It’s vital to consult an experienced doctor to monitor your baby’s health.
Compensation for Birth Injuries Due to Oxygen Deprivation
If someone’s negligent actions caused your baby’s injury from oxygen deprivation, you could file an insurance claim or lawsuit. The compensation you receive might compensate you for the losses you suffered, such as:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Mental anguish
- Long-term disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If you want to file a lawsuit against the at-fault medical provider, you must observe the one-year statute of limitations. That means you have one year from the date of the injury to initiate your lawsuit in civil court.
Contact Us
The Lake Charles oxygen deprivation injury attorneys of Veron Bice, LLC bring years of experience to each case we take. We will advocate for your rights and fight by your side until the end.
If a healthcare provider’s negligent conduct caused your baby’s injury from oxygen deprivation, call 337-310-1600 right now or contact us online for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to speak with you.