Understanding HIE & Its Causes

What Is Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)? Causes of a Preventable Birth Injury

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a serious birth injury that occurs when a baby’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen (hypoxia) and blood flow (ischemia) before, during, or just after delivery. This condition can cause permanent brain damage, and in many cases, it leads to long-term conditions like Cerebral Palsy, developmental delays, or seizures.

Unfortunately, HIE is often the result of medical negligence during labor and delivery and parents are rarely told that it was preventable.

What Happens During HIE?

The brain requires a constant flow of oxygen-rich blood to function and develop properly. If that supply is interrupted even for just a few minutes brain cells begin to die, leading to permanent injury. In newborns, HIE often develops when there is fetal distress that isn’t recognized or acted upon in time.

Signs of HIE may include:

  • Low APGAR scores
  • Need for resuscitation at birth
  • Seizures within 24 hours
  • Muscle stiffness or limpness
  • Need for NICU admission and cooling therapy

Top Causes of HIE During Labor and Delivery

Many of the known causes of HIE are preventable with proper monitoring and timely intervention. Here are some of the most common:

  1. Delayed or Failed Emergency C-Section
    When a baby is in distress and not delivered quickly, oxygen can be lost.


  2. Fetal Distress Ignored or Misread
    Abnormal heart rate patterns on fetal monitors are often the first signs of trouble.


  3. Umbilical Cord Problems
    • Cord prolapse (cord drops into birth canal ahead of baby)
    • Nuchal cord (cord wrapped around baby’s neck)
    • Cord compression


  4. Placental Abruption
    The placenta separates from the uterus early, cutting off the oxygen supply.


  5. Uterine Rupture
    Especially in VBAC deliveries, the uterus can tear and cause massive oxygen loss.


  6. Overuse or Misuse of Pitocin
    Excessive contractions can reduce blood flow to the baby.


  7. Infection or Maternal Illness
    Untreated infections or fevers during labor can reduce fetal oxygenation.


  8. Failure to Resuscitate at Birth
    Improper or delayed intervention in the delivery room may allow injury to progress.

Why You May Not Have Been Told

In many hospitals, families are simply told that “sometimes these things happen.” But in reality, many cases of HIE are the result of errors, delays, or poor monitoring and could have been prevented with better care.

If your baby was diagnosed with HIE, required cooling therapy, or now has Cerebral Palsy, it’s time to ask:

Was this a medical mistake?

You may be eligible for significant compensation if your child experienced any of the above. Schedule your FREE case review call today. Our team will review your medical records for FREE. If negligence is found, our team will file and work to recover compensation for you and your child. There is never a fee or cost to you. Our team only gets paid if we recover money for you.

Your Questions About HIE Lawsuits ?

Why should I contact a lawyer after an HIE diagnosis?

Contacting an HIE birth injury lawyer is the most important step you can take to investigate the circumstances of your child's birth. They can help you understand if the injury was caused by negligence and explain your family's legal right to compensation for your child's lifelong medical needs.

What is the specific role of a hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy lawyer?

The role of a hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy lawyer is highly specialized. Unlike a general practice attorney, they have a deep understanding of the complex medical details of HIE. Their job is to work with world-class medical experts to meticulously review fetal heart strips, delivery notes, and hospital records. They are experts at identifying the exact cause of the oxygen deprivation and building a powerful, evidence-based case on behalf of your child.

How is medical malpractice proven in an HIE case?

Proving negligence requires showing that a doctor or hospital violated the accepted standard of care, and that this failure directly caused the HIE. An experienced HIE medical malpractice attorney accomplishes this by identifying specific errors. This could include a failure to act on clear signs of fetal distress, an unreasonable delay in ordering an emergency C-section, or the misuse of medications like Pitocin. Their investigation focuses on proving the brain injury was not just a tragic accident, but a preventable one.

What should I look for when choosing a birth injury lawyer for an HIE case?

When selecting a birth injury lawyer for HIE, it is crucial to choose a firm, like ours, with a proven track record in these specific cases. You should look for: A history of securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for HIE cases. Access to a network of top-tier medical experts to review your case. A contingency fee agreement, which means you pay absolutely nothing unless they win your case. A compassionate team that understands what your family is going through.

What is the purpose of filing an HIE brain injury lawsuit?

The fundamental purpose of filing an HIE brain injury lawsuit is to secure your child's future. A successful lawsuit provides the financial resources necessary for a lifetime of care. The compensation, or settlement, is designed to cover all past and future medical bills, ongoing physical, occupational, and speech therapies, special education, necessary home modifications, adaptive equipment, and round-the-clock care if needed. It ensures your child has access to every possible resource to live the best life possible.

Why Choose Our Firm?

As a leading HIE lawyer in Pennsylvania, the team at cpfamilyhelp.com focuses exclusively on these complex birth injury cases. We help families investigate potential HIE medical malpractice and understand the process of filing an HIE brain injury lawsuit to secure the resources for a child’s future care. Our experienced Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy lawyers serve families across the state, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. For a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case, please contact our firm.

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