Birth injuries in Cleveland hospitals and medical centers can result from medical negligence, including delayed C-sections, improper fetal monitoring, or misuse of delivery tools. These preventable errors can lead to severe conditions such as cerebral palsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and brachial plexus injuries, affecting a child’s ability to develop and thrive.
For parents, a birth injury not only brings emotional devastation but also creates financial burdens due to ongoing medical care, therapy, and assistive treatments. Holding negligent medical providers accountable can help recover the compensation and resources needed for a child’s future.
At The Henry Law Firm, Cleveland families turn to attorney Megan Shore, a leading birth injury attorney with a history of obtaining justice for victims of medical malpractice. Megan has worked on birth injury cases nationwide, achieving multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, including the largest obstetrical malpractice verdict in U.S. history—$143 million.
Attorney Megan’s experience in auditing electronic medical records for false and late charting gives her a strategic edge in uncovering medical negligence. Megan’s cases have been widely publicized in the media and she has won numerous awards and honors for her winning track record. To pursue compensation for your child’s birth injuries, speak with a medical malpractice lawyer today.
Causes of HIE Injury in Cleveland Hospitals
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a severe birth injury caused by oxygen deprivation and limited blood flow to a newborn’s brain during labor and delivery. When left untreated or improperly managed, HIE can result in long-term neurological disorders, including cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and cognitive impairments.
Medical negligence is a key factor leading to preventable cases of HIE, and eventually cerebral palsy in the local hospitals and medical centers.
Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress
A key cause of HIE is inadequate fetal monitoring during labor. Medical teams must continuously track a baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels using fetal heart rate monitors. Signs of fetal distress—such as abnormal heart rate patterns (bradycardia or tachycardia)—may signal that the baby isn’t receiving enough oxygen.
If medical staff fail to recognize or act on these warning signs, prolonged oxygen deprivation can cause irreversible brain damage, leading to HIE and subsequent cerebral palsy.
Delayed Emergency C-Section
When complications arise during labor, an emergency cesarean section (C-section) may be necessary to prevent oxygen deprivation. Delays in performing a C-section, even by minutes, can result in severe brain injuries. Common medical errors leading to delayed C-sections include:
- Failure to recognize placental abruption (when the placenta detaches from the uterus, cutting off oxygen supply)
- Ignoring umbilical cord prolapse, where the cord slips into the birth canal and restricts blood flow
- Miscommunication or coordinator errors among medical staff that causes critical delays in surgical intervention
- Understaffing or lack of proper surgical preparation in hospitals
Improper Use of Forceps or Vacuum Extraction
When a baby struggles to descend through the birth canal, doctors may use assisted delivery tools such as forceps or vacuum extractors. However, medical professionals may injure the baby’s head if they use these tools improperly, leading to brain injuries, skull fractures, and restricted oxygen flow—all of which increase the risk of HIE.
If excessive force is applied, the baby may suffer from intracranial hemorrhage (brain bleeding), which can worsen oxygen deprivation and lead to lifelong disabilities like cerebral palsy.
Failure to Treat Maternal Infections
Certain maternal infections, such as chorioamnionitis (infection of the amniotic sac), Group B Streptococcus (GBS), and uterine infections, can cause inflammation and lead to fetal oxygen deprivation. If left undiagnosed or untreated (even after the infection is found), these infections can result in HIE. Proper prenatal care and infection management are essential to preventing these complications.
Negligent Use of Labor-Inducing Drugs
Pitocin (synthetic oxytocin) is often used to induce or speed up labor, but improper dosing can cause excessively strong and frequent contractions (uterine hyperstimulation). This reduces the baby’s oxygen supply, increasing the risk of HIE. Failure to adjust Pitocin dosage or monitor its effects can also lead to severe birth complications, including placental rupture and fetal distress.
Anesthesia and Medication Errors
Errors in administering epidurals or general anesthesia can lead to maternal blood pressure drops (hypotension), reducing oxygen-rich blood flow to the baby’s brain. If medical providers fail to monitor and correct these issues, prolonged oxygen deprivation can result in HIE and subsequent cerebral palsy.
Post-Birth Negligence in Treating HIE
Even after a baby experiences oxygen deprivation, timely medical intervention can minimize brain damage. Therapeutic hypothermia (cooling therapy) is a proven treatment that can reduce brain injury severity if administered within six hours after birth.
If hospitals in Cleveland or another location fail to recognize HIE symptoms and delay cooling therapy, the baby may suffer from permanent neurological impairment, including cerebral palsy.
Holding Cleveland Hospitals and Medical Providers Accountable
When HIE results from medical negligence, hospitals, obstetricians, nurses, and delivery room staff may be liable for failing to provide proper care. If a medical provider’s failure to monitor fetal distress, delay in performing a necessary C-section, misuse of delivery tools, or improper medication administration caused HIE, they can be held legally responsible.
Our legal team at The Henry Law Firm is prepared to fight your personal injury cases in Cleveland with dedication and skill.
Steps Our Cleveland Birth Injury Lawyer Will Take to Recover Maximum Compensation for Your Family
Birth injuries can have devastating, lifelong consequences for both the child and their family. If your child suffered a preventable birth injury, our top-rated Cleveland birth injury attorneys at The Henry Law Firm will leave no stone unturned to recover the highest possible compensation for your family.
Step 1: Detailed Case Review and Investigation
Our legal team will begin by conducting a comprehensive review of your case to determine whether medical malpractice occurred. This includes:
- Consulting with medical professionals to assess whether the standard of care was violated
- Interviewing parents and family members to understand the timeline of events leading up to and following the birth injury
- Gathering all relevant hospital records and physician reports from Cleveland hospitals such as Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, and MetroHealth Medical Center to identify medical errors
- Reviewing Ohio medical malpractice laws and precedents to establish liability
If we determine that negligence occurred, we move forward with a full-scale investigation.
Step 2: Collecting Critical Medical Evidence
To prove that your child’s birth injury was caused by medical malpractice, our attorneys will collect extensive medical evidence, including:
- Fetal heart monitoring records to check for signs of fetal distress
- Labor and delivery room notes documenting any complications or errors
- OB-GYN and nurse reports detailing any delays in intervention
- Use of labor-inducing drugs (Pitocin) and anesthesia records to determine if they were administered correctly
- Umbilical cord blood gas analysis showing oxygen deprivation levels at birth
- Neonatal medical records to confirm conditions such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, or brain hemorrhages
This evidence helps demonstrate how medical negligence directly caused your child’s injury.
Step 3: Working with Top Medical Experts
Ohio law requires that a qualified medical expert provide testimony in medical malpractice cases. We collaborate with nationally recognized neonatologists, obstetricians, and pediatric neurologists who:
- Evaluate the standard of care provided during labor and delivery.
- Determine how the injury could have been prevented with proper medical intervention.
- Explain the long-term medical needs and financial impact of the birth injury.
Expert testimony is instrumental in proving causation and holding negligent medical providers accountable in Cleveland courts.
Step 4: Pursuing Maximum Compensation
A birth injury can lead to lifelong medical expenses, therapy, and lost income for parents who must provide full-time care. Our attorneys will pursue maximum compensation for:
- Medical bills (past, present, and future)
- Rehabilitation, therapy, and assistive devices
- Pain and suffering for the child and family
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity if parents must leave work to care for the child
- Home modifications and special education costs
- Emotional distress and loss of quality of life
We work closely with economic experts and life care planners to ensure every financial burden is accounted for in your claim.
Step 5: Negotiating with Hospitals and Insurance Companies
Hospitals and insurance companies in Cleveland—including those affiliated with Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth—often try to minimize liability and offer low settlements. Our aggressive legal team will:
- Engage in tough negotiations to ensure fair compensation
- Challenge insurance company tactics that undervalue or deny valid claims
- Reject inadequate settlement offers and push for full financial recovery
We fight relentlessly to ensure you receive the compensation your family needs for long-term care and security.
Step 6: Taking Your Case to Trial if Necessary
If the hospital or insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we’re prepared to take your case to court. Our Cleveland birth injury lawyers have extensive trial experience and will:
- Present compelling medical evidence before a judge and jury
- Cross-examine defense witnesses and expose contradictions
- Highlight the devastating impact of medical negligence on your child’s future
Our proven litigation skills ensure your family’s rights are protected in Ohio courts. To schedule your free consultation, call us at (440) 644-3995 or contact us online.
