How Can A Hypoxia Attorney Help My Child?

By Author: duffy duffy
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When fetal distress is not timely noted or responded to during labor and delivery, the newborn may experience lack of oxygen to his body, a condition called “hypoxia”. Today, hypoxia is a leading cause of brain damage in children, since the inadequate supply of oxygen to the brain causes its cells to die, leading to often irreversible injury. A hypoxia attorney, who is experienced in handling brain injury cases against negligent doctors, can help you and your child recover damages. Here are some important things to know about hypoxia:

Hypoxia has many effects

Although the condition is preventable, unless the oxygen supply is restored, the brain injury may lead to a coma, seizures, loss of consciousness and even death. In less severe cases hypoxia can lead to such problems as lack of attention, lack of concentration, breathing problems, lack of fine motor skills and others. Unfortunately, in the latter cases the parents often don’t notice that the child has a problem until he starts preschool and falls behind the other classmates in his studies.

Who can diagnose if hypoxia brain injury occurred?

Your ...
... child’s physician is usually the first professional to notice the developmental delays, though it’s not unusual for the child’s teacher to notify the parent that their son or daughter is struggling in school. A hypoxia attorney, due to his experience with brain injury litigation, is often in the best position to be able to recommend a leading expert in the field to review the child’s records, examine the child and opinion on what could have happened to cause the brain injury.

Can hypoxia be caused by medical malpractice?

Medical malpractice takes place when the emergency was foreseeable and could have been avoided if the proper steps were taken to prevent it. Hypoxia can take place if there is excessive pressure on the baby’s umbilical cord and it is not timely relieved. Or if the circumstances indicate that a c-section should be performed, but the doctor chooses to proceed with vaginal delivery, causing undue stress to the fetal leading to brain damage. Hypoxia attorneys can review the fetal strips from the monitoring process and read the hospital record, including doctor’s notes, to see if a mistake was made during labor and delivery.

How long will the litigation process take?

Before the lawsuit can commence a hypoxia attorney is obligated to consult with a physician to ascertain if the action has merit. Once the summons and complaint is filed, the physician’s insurance carrier will retain counsel and the process of discovery will commence, during which depositions will be held and the infant may be subjected to a physical exam by defendant’s physician. Upon completion of discovery the case will be scheduled for trial, and unless settled, a jury will make a determination of whether the doctor can be held liable for the brain injury sustained by the infant, and if so, what damages to award.

Brain injury lawyer : At Duffy & Duffy we understand brain injury and the medical mistakes that can cause it. You can receive financial compensation for life-long expenses for your child. For more detail please visit http://www.duffyduffylaw.com