Both unborn and newborn babies must receive enough oxygen before/during birth (via blood supply through the placenta and umbilical cord) and after birth respectively.
When a baby suffers from a brain injury because of oxygen deprivation, it is known as a hypoxic or anoxic brain injury, could cause death of brain tissue (also termed hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy), and may result in a host of neurological conditions or death. Neurologically injured children may suffer from a myriad of physical disabilities.
Conditions associated with oxygen deprivation may include:
- Increased or decreased muscle tone and reflexes
- Behavioral abnormalities
- Lethargy
- Seizure Disorders
- Respiratory conditions requiring ventilator or other pulmonary support and medications/therapy
- Ocular or eye movement abnormalities
- Heart rate and blood pressure irregularities
- Cerebral palsy manifested by gross and fine motor (or movement) abnormalities
- Other neurological conditions
If healthcare providers deviated from the standards of care during prenatal treatment, or during labor, deliver or during the neonatal (newborn) periods, and those shortcomings in care resulted in oxygen deprivation causing a brain injury, families may be able to seek monetary compensation for the affected child’s injuries. In addition, claims may be brought for the costs associated with care, therapy and specialized education, as well as for the family’s losses and support they may need to cope with the financial and emotional issues surrounding living with a birth-injured child.
The experienced New Jersey birth injury lawyers at Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari are Certified Civil Trial Attorneys with extensive experience in handling matters involving birth injuries. We are available to discuss your potential claim at no cost. Please contact us at 973-845-4421.