Attorney
If there is a deprivation of oxygen to a baby’s brain during the birth and delivery process, the child may suffer an anoxic brain injury at birth. If your child has such an injury, it is important to fully understand the implications and your options for pursuing compensation from any medical staff who may have allowed the injury to occur in their negligence.
Our legal team at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis, LLP has experience in a wide range of birth injury cases. We proudly represent families across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. in their pursuit of justice for medical negligence that irreparably affects their lives.
What Is an Anoxic Brain Injury?
Anoxia is a medical term that refers to a lack of oxygen. An anoxic brain injury at birth, then, is a condition in which the flow of oxygen becomes unable to reach the baby’s brain for any reason. If oxygen deprivation persists for more than a minute, there is a serious risk of anoxia which may result in permanent brain damage.
This differs from hypoxia, which refers to a temporary decrease in oxygen supply to the brain. While hypoxia tends to be a less severe condition than anoxia, it still has the potential to cause brain damage. If your child suffers from either anoxia or hypoxia during the birth process, it is important to understand that you may have a valid claim for medical malpractice if the injury occurred due to a medical professional’s negligence.
What Causes Anoxic Brain Injury?
A common cause of anoxia during childbirth is the umbilical cord becoming twisted or pinched, thereby cutting off the supply of oxygen completely. Anoxia can also occur in the case of a prolapsed umbilical cord.
Medical staff participating in the delivery process have an obligation to monitor the baby’s condition second by second. There are measures that a doctor can take to restore the supply of oxygen to the baby’s brain. For example, in an emergency scenario, a doctor may deem it necessary to perform a C-section. If medical staff fail to notice a risk of anoxia, though, an anoxic brain injury at birth can occur due purely to medical negligence.
Can You Sue for an Anoxic Brain Injury at Birth?
You have every right to sue a medical facility for allowing a birth injury to occur. Be sure to keep thorough medical records and documentation pertaining to your interactions with medical staff from every stage of the pregnancy and delivery. These can serve as valuable evidence in your birth injury claim.
Working with a birth injury lawyer in D.C. can also greatly improve your chances of a successful claim. Our team at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis, LLP can help you by conducting our own investigation into the cause of the birth injury and negotiating with the hospital’s insurance company on your behalf.
Contact a Birth Injury Lawyer in D.C. Today
In the aftermath of an anoxic brain injury at birth, your family’s focus should be on receiving proper rest and recovery. The birth injury lawyers at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis, LLP can handle the legal complexities of your case while you dedicate your efforts to what matters most.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve the best outcome in an unfortunate situation. Your case evaluation is free and we charge zero fees until you have a settlement in your hands.