California Birth Asphyxia Lawyer
Pursuing Justice for the Injured
It is alarming to be told that your child has suffered a birth injury. Some are minor and will heal with time. Others however can be devastating and cause permanent damage. One of the more serious birth injuries that can occur is perinatal asphyxia, or oxygen deprivation.
Perinatal asphyxia occurs when your baby has been deprived of oxygen. It can happen several ways. While the baby is still in the womb, the baby can be deprived of oxygen over a period of several days where the umbilical cord has been pinched or kinked. It can happen during the birth process for many reasons and occurs when the baby stops breathing.
There are two types of oxygen deprivation. Anoxia is where there is complete oxygen deprivation. Hypoxia is where there is partial oxygen deprivation.
News that your child has experienced birth asphyxia is extremely upsetting news. You have many questions and want answers. We are here to help you through this process, with experience and compassion. If this injury was due to medical negligence, the hospital and medical staff need to be held accountable for their negligence actions. Speak to a California birth asphyxia lawyer from Donahue & Horrow LLP. Your first meeting with us is free of charge.
How is Birth Asphyxia Diagnosed?
There are various tests that can be performed to identify perinatal asphyxia. These tests can include an MRI, a CT, and an Electroencephalogram. There are other types of tests that may be needed to determine blood flow to the brain and cell metabolism.
Oxygen deprivation is a very serious problem for a newborn infant. All the cells in the human body require oxygen to function. The brain requires a constant supply of oxygen to function. Even a short period without oxygen can cause cell death and brain damage.
Causes
There are many ways this injury can occur, some of which include:
- Insufficient oxygen in the mother’s blood.
- Blocked airway.
- Too high or too low blood pressure of mother.
- Prolapsed or compressed umbilical cord.
- Separation of placenta from uterus.
Symptoms
The symptoms of perinatal asphyxia include:
- Low heart rate.
- Pressure on umbilical cord.
- Weak, or no breathing.
- Low blood pressure of mother.
- Seizures.
- High acid level in the blood.
Malpractice Actions
If the doctor or medical staff fails to recognize the warning signs of asphyxia or delays treatment, the child can experience very serious injury. This can include damage to the brain, lungs, heart and kidneys. Asphyxia can cause brain damage, paralysis, cerebral palsy and death. While these types of birth complications do not happen frequently, the medical staff must recognize the symptoms of a complication and act immediately before the problem causes irreparable harm to the child.
If your child has suffered from an asphyxia injury, speak with a California birth asphyxia lawyer from Donahue & Horrow LLP for guidance. Our firm has the knowledge and experience to get our clients the results they deserve. If you decide to pursue a claim, we will take your case on a contingency basis. This means that you don’t pay us until we win your case. Call us today for a free consultation at 310-322-0300 or toll free at 877-664-5407.