Holding Arizona Physicians Accountable for Brain Damage During Birth
Brain ischemia occurs whenever blood flow to the brain becomes blocked. Whether you’re a newborn or a senior, brain ischemia can deprive you of vital oxygen and cause lasting brain damage. Unfortunately, many infants needlessly suffer from some form of brain ischemia each year, especially during the delivery process.
Infant brain ischemia is entirely preventable in most cases, which means attending physicians have a responsibility to limit the risk of injury – and then take quick action if blood flow becomes blocked. If your physician did not adequately account for the risk of brain ischemia, you may be entitled to seek compensation. As a family of lawyers who are also doctors, our team at Cullan & Cullan can assist you with pursuing a birth injury claim.
For more information about how we can help in Phoenix, call (602) 900-9483 and schedule your consultation.
What Causes Reduced Blood Flow In Babies?
Pregnancy is a complex and difficult physiological process that can come with many complications – and one of the primary concerns is oxygen flow to the infant’s brain. Because babies are entirely dependent on the mother’s blood supply for oxygen, blood flow blockages or contamination can impact the amount of oxygen that the baby receives. Lack of blood flow causes decreased oxygen which leads to the infant’s brain cell death.
If left untreated, the oxygen loss may cause lasting brain damage, also known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This is when the brain becomes so starved for oxygen that the cells begin to shut down, damaging essential functions in the cerebral cortex.
Here are a few of the most common causes for brain ischemia both before and during childbirth:
- Asphyxiation by umbilical cord
- Failure to perform a C-section at the right time
- Diabetes
- Preeclampsia or high blood pressure
- Incorrect use of forceps on the infant’s head
- Prolonged labor process
- Placental abruption
- Shoulder dystocia
Common Complications Of Brain Ischemia
Much like an adult who has survived a stroke, an infant with brain ischemia may have severe developmental lapses and disorders after the event has passed. The exact effects will depend on which section of the brain became damaged and lost blood flow, but the symptoms of brain ischemia often become apparent soon after birth.
Common long-term problems caused by brain ischemia:
- Cerebral palsy and other developmental disorders
- Mood and personality disorders
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Lowered IQ
- Epilepsy
- Reduced motor function
Ready To Fight For Your Family
It’s devastating to realize that your child has sustained injuries resulting from brain ischemia, especially if it was preventable by your doctor. That’s why the law allows grieving and frustrated parents to file a civil lawsuit against the healthcare provider that acted in a negligent manner. Although securing financial recovery may not undo the brain damage, it can provide you with peace of mind as you prepare for the costs of your child’s medical treatments and other needs.
At Cullan & Cullan, our Phoenix lawyers stand apart from other birth injury teams, as our lawyers are also doctors. For every case of medical negligence, we assign a professional doctor-lawyer who can review your case with a medical eye. Thanks to this scientific approach, we’ve been able to secure record-setting verdicts for countless patients, ensuring that their children will have the resources they deserve.
Ready to schedule a consultation? Contact us at (602) 900-9483 today for more information.