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New York Oxygen Deficiency

Cerebral hypoxia is the medical term for the condition in which the brain experiences a deficiency of oxygen. Oxygen deficiency can be caused number of factors such as a stroke, carbon monoxide poisoning, and drowning. Oxygen deprivation can also be the result of a birth injury. When cells in the brain are deprived of oxygen, they quickly begin to die. As a result a baby that suffers an oxygen deficiency before birth or during delivery is at risk of suffering a serious condition such as cerebral palsy, hypoxic-anoxic encephalopathy, or some other type of serious brain injury. While there are a number of factors that could result in the baby being deprived of adequate oxygen, oftentimes the devastating effects of oxygen deprivation could have been avoided if the doctors identify signs of oxygen deprivation right away and respond appropriately. For example, fetal distress can be detected by fetal monitoring. If your baby was injured due to your doctor’s negligence, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced New York oxygen deficiency lawyer who will explain to you your legal rights to pursue compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Causes of oxygen deficiency

An oxygen deficiency can be caused by a number of factors during pregnancy, labor and delivery. Common causes include:

  • Long birth. When a birth is difficult and or the baby spends too much time in the birth canal, the baby can become distressed and experience a lack of oxygen
  • Compressed or twisted umbilical cord. If the umbilical cord becomes compressed or twisted, oxygen, blood flow, and nutrients can be cut off from the baby, resulting in brain damage.
  • Meconium aspiration. Meconium is baby feces. If the baby inhales some of the meconium, the baby’s airway may be blocked resulting in an oxygen deficiency.
Consequences of oxygen deficiency

As experienced New York oxygen deficiency attorneys, we know that can happen if a baby does not get sufficient oxygen. The consequences may be devastating, including:

  • Brain damage
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Developmental delays
  • Mental retardation
  • Blindness
  • Inability to walk
  • Speech difficulties

However, many long-term injuries can be avoided it the medical staff acts quickly. For example, if the baby gets stuck in the birth canal and is in distress, one option is to immediately deliver the baby via a cesarean delivery.

Pursuing compensation

As a skilled oxygen deficiency attorney in New York will explain, medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional such as an obstetrician, nurse, or other healthcare professional fails to take reasonable care and as a result the patient suffers an injury. Thus, if a doctor fails to appropriately assess the risk of oxygen deficiency or properly respond when the baby is in distress, and as a result your baby is injured New York law allows you to hold that doctor and other medical professionals legally and financially liable.

The negligent party may be required to compensate you for your baby’s medical bills related to the injuries suffered because of the medical mistake. If as a result of your baby’s injury you end up missing a work, your damages could include compensation for the income you lost. The court may also award damages based on the physical and mental anguish your baby suffers because of the injury.

Beware that New York law has a specific time limit for filing a claim for a personal injury. If you do not file your claim within the time period, you will be forever barred from collecting damages even if your case has merit. In addition, if the party responsible for your injury was a government entity then there are special procedures you must follow to file a claim.

Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates

If you suspect that you or your baby was injured because your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional failed to detect or appropriately respond to a lack of oxygen do not hesitate to immediately contact an experienced oxygen deficiency attorney serving New York. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in successfully representing clients who have suffered injuries due to mistakes made by medical professionals, as well as those injured in car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents, and other types of accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.

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