Michigan Hypothermia Treatment Errors Lawyer
Hypothermia (Brain Cooling) Treatment Errors
Neonatal therapeutic hypothermia is a relatively new treatment used to reduce an infant’s total body temperature following birth. This procedure is done in order to reduce the chance of severe brain damage or to slow down its progression. Studies are still ongoing, but many medical experts are advocates for this type of treatment and feel the benefits greatly outweigh any risks. Nevertheless, it is important to understand that certain risks are involved and errors in judgment by medical professionals can occur. If you believe your child has been permanently injured as a result of hypothermia treatment errors, please call Thurswell Law immediately.
How Does Neonatal Therapeutic Hypothermia Help Infants?
Hypothermia treatment in newborns suffering from birth asphyxia or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) involves cooling the baby’s core body temperature to about 91 degrees Fahrenheit for about 72 hours. This is achieved either by attaching a cooling cap to the baby’s head or by laying the baby on a cool blanket. The goal is to slow the baby’s metabolic rate to enable cell recovery over a longer period of time. Also, this prevents further damage that can occur if normal oxygenation or blood flow is restored too quickly to injured cells. It is of the highest priority to ensure the outcome involves little or no brain damage to the infant.
Medical Negligence in Neonatal Therapeutic Hypothermia
If your baby required hypothermia treatments as a result of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy or birth asphyxia and is permanently disabled, there is a good possibility that negligence occurred. In such cases, the medical staff and hospital can be held responsible for monetary compensation. Medical errors in neonatal hypothermia treatment can include:
- failure to inform parents of hypothermia therapy as a treatment option
- failure to begin hypothermia within six hours of birth
- failure to follow organizational policies for hypothermia therapy
- mishandling, delaying, or failing to order an emergency C-section during birth
- misdiagnosing or inadequate testing of the infant
- fetal monitoring errors
How Thurswell Law Can Help Your Family
Giving birth should be a time of joy as a new member is welcomed into the family. It is unfortunate that the negligent actions of hospital staff can taint this experience. Call Thurswell Law for a free consultation at 248-354-2222 if you believe your baby has been injured as a result of medical negligence associated with hypothermia treatment. No recovery, no fee.
