$5,000,000 Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Birth Injury

Our client had a full-term pregnancy. It was determined that she had low-volume amniotic fluid, and fetal distress was observed at the last prenatal visit. This caused the OB/GYN to send the mother to Labor and Delivery. Despite continuing fetal distress (heart rate decelerations), a c-section was not considered. Hours later, Pitocin was ordered to induce labor despite Pitocin being a known cause of fetal distress. Minutes after Pitocin administration, the baby’s fetal heart rate began showing more and worse fetal distress, but an emergency c-section was not performed until almost an hour later. The delay in performing a c-section caused an HIE brain injury, which resulted in permanent, profound brain damage, including the need for 24/7 care by an attendant. The case was settled before trial.