Representing Children with HIE & Their Parents

Was your child born with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which is caused by oxygen deprivation during birth? The consequences of this birth injury are often severe and permanent. The cause of it can often be linked back to a doctor’s mistakes during delivery, too.

At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell in Indianapolis, we believe in protecting the rights of injured infants and their parents. If your child was born with HIE or another oxygen-related birth injury, then we want to know. For more than 40 years, we have solely focused our practice on serious injury claims like birth injuries and HIE. Trust in our experience and talents to do what is right for you and your child during this difficult time.

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What Causes HIE?

The most commonly understood cause of HIE is oxygen deprivation before, during, or shortly after delivery. While in utero or during labor, a child receives oxygen through the umbilical cord and across the placenta. As such, problems with the cord or placenta can directly result in HIE. Restricted blood flow or unsafe blood toxicity levels can do the same.

The risk of HIE increases due to:

  • Prolonged labor
  • Amniotic fluid deficiency
  • Twisted, damaged, or constricting umbilical cord
  • Placental abruption
  • Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors
  • Unsafe dosages of Pitocin used to induce labor
  • Uterine rupture
  • Unusual infant position in the womb
  • Fetal distress
  • And more

Although this list of HIE causes varies, a common thread among them all is a medical provider’s failure. Doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff assisting with the birth of a child have the responsibility to watch the child’s and mother’s health for signs of fetal distress and other complications that can cause HIE. When these signs are noticed quickly, HIE can be prevented with prompt medical decisions.

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Signs of HIE

Not all cases of HIE are severe enough to cause immediate symptoms. As such, some parents take their children home after being told that they are “fine” despite the difficult birth. It might be days or weeks later until they know that something is wrong.

Symptoms of HIE that you might see in your child after leaving the hospital are:

  • Seizures
  • Difficulty with nursing
  • Limp limbs or poor muscle control
  • Poor grasping ability
  • No response to loud sounds or bright lights
  • Discolored skin

Please seek medical attention for your child immediately if you notice a symptom of HIE or any other sign of distress.

Our Attorneys

Tina M. Bell, Esq.

Tina M. Bell, Esq.

Partner
Meet Lee C. Christie, Esq.

Meet Lee C. Christie, Esq.

Partner
Laura J. Conyers

Laura J. Conyers

Of Counsel
Meet Kevin P. Farrell, Esq.

Meet Kevin P. Farrell, Esq.

Partner
Meet Kathy A. Lee, Esq.

Meet Kathy A. Lee, Esq.

Retired
Meet Kyle L. Christie, Esq.

Meet Kyle L. Christie, Esq.

Partner
Katherine M. Marshall

Katherine M. Marshall

Partner
Christopher D. Simpkins

Christopher D. Simpkins

Associate

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What Does HIE Cause?

HIE damages the newborn child’s brain by depriving it of oxygen. Unlike most other tissues, brain tissues do not heal effectively, so HIE damage is often permanent.

A child born with HIE might struggle with:

  • Epilepsy
  • Developmental delays
  • Learning disabilities
  • Muscle control and movement

The exact portion of the brain that was damaged by oxygen deprivation at birth will play a significant role in what disabilities can manifest later in life. It is best to work closely with a pediatric doctor to arrange neurological tests for your child, so you can get a better understanding of how HIE might affect them for life.

Compensation in HIE Claims

Money can’t undo the harm that your child has suffered. However, compensation can help your child live more comfortably, so it is worth exploring your legal options if your child was born with HIE.

Our Indianapolis personal inury attorneys know how to fight for the most compensation possible for our clients. We can connect with pediatricians, psychological experts, and others who can detail how the HIE will impact your child. With this knowledge, we can define what special care they will need and how much that will reasonably cost in the future.

The compensation in your HIE claim could help pay for:

  • Past and future medical care
  • Special education opportunities
  • Years of rehabilitative therapies
  • Miscellaneous costs of raising a child with unique health needs
  • Pain and suffering
  • And other losses and damages you and your child experience

Learn More About Filing an HIE Lawsuit Now

Our team of Indianapolis hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy attorneys are ready and waiting to help you understand your rights if your child was born with HIE. We are a passionate medical malpractice law firm who stands up for the wrongfully injured. It would be our honor to help you seek justice and compensation from the medical professionals and/or institutions that hurt your child and change your life course forever.

Indianapolis Office

951 N Delaware St Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: 317-593-9202