Baltimore Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Attorneys

Representing HIE Victims in Baltimore County & Prince George’s County

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain dysfunction that results from oxygen deprivation during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. HIE can lead to a variety of serious conditions, including cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Multiple factors may contribute to HIE, but medical malpractice is, in many cases, the principal cause. Negligent decisions made by medical professionals during labor and delivery may dramatically increase the odds of HIE developing, as well as the condition’s severity.

If your child is suffering from HIE-related complications, our empathetic Miller Stern Lawyers LLC are here for you. You may have a medical malpractice case if your child’s HIE was caused or exacerbated by negligent actions. Our Baltimore hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyers know how to effectively approach these complex cases, having successfully represented thousands of clients and contributed to settlements and verdicts collectively worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Our attorneys will work closely with you from beginning to end. We genuinely care about our clients. 

Schedule a free initial consultation by contacting us online or calling (410) 529-3476. We offer our legal services in English, Spanish, and Hebrew.

How Do I Know If My Baby Has HIE?

It may not be immediately obvious if your baby is suffering from HIE, but there are several warning signs. You should be especially vigilant if the birth was premature, as the risk for HIE is far greater in these scenarios.

Symptoms of HIE include:

• Seizures
• Bluish or pale skin
• Lacking reflexes
• Lack of alertness
• Breathing problems
• Feeding problems
• Unusually high or low muscle tone

In some cases, HIE won’t become apparent until your child becomes much older. Even mild HIE will usually result in disability, so any notable delays in developmental milestones (including crawling and walking) may be the consequences of HIE.

If you believe your baby or child has HIE, immediately discuss your concerns with your doctor. Though there’s no cure, medical professionals can recommend treatments and therapies that can make living with the condition easier. 

Why Does HIE Happen?

A variety of conditions and negligent actions can trigger HIE during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. HIE may sometimes be unavoidable, but in some cases, it’s the result of a failure to promptly recognize, intervene, and resolve problems.

HIE can result from many types of medical malpractice, including:

• A failure to treat infections
• A failure to monitor high-risk pregnancies
• A failure to take steps to prevent a premature birth
• A failure to address umbilical cord complications
• A failure to monitor fetal heart rate
• A failure to prescribe adequate medications or improperly prescribing medications that heighten the risk of HIE

Therapeutic hypothermia, also called cooling therapy, is used for newborns who experienced oxygen or blood-flow deprivation before or during labor and delivery. The treatment lowers a newborn’s body temperature to about 92.3°F for 72 hours before gradual rewarming and is generally initiated within six hours of birth.

Who May Be Responsible for an HIE Injury?

Responsibility depends on which health care providers participated in the pregnancy, labor, delivery, and newborn care. Potentially responsible parties include doctors, nurses, and hospitals, as well as anesthesiologists or other medical specialists whose care contributed to the injury.

Determining liability requires evidence connecting negligent medical care to the child’s HIE injury. The central question is whether a health care provider failed to meet the applicable standard of care and whether that failure caused or worsened the oxygen-deprivation injury.

What Should I Do If My Child Has HIE Due to Medical Malpractice?

You should immediately get in touch with our Baltimore hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy attorneys if you suspect your child may be the victim of medical malpractice. We can review the circumstances of your child’s birth, including any actions taken (or not taken) by your medical team, and advise whether you have a strong case. 

Maryland filing deadlines depend on whose claim is being brought. As a general rule, medical malpractice claims must be filed within five years of the injury or three years after discovery of the injury, whichever occurs first. Under Maryland law, the limitations and repose periods for a child’s own claim don’t begin until the child turns 18, generally allowing filing until the child’s 21st birthday. A parent’s separate claim for medical expenses incurred before the child turns 18 follows the standard Maryland medical malpractice deadlines. If HIE complications result in death, a wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within three years from the date of death.

A successful HIE lawsuit can help you recover compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages (including reductions in future earning capacity)
• Physical pain and mental suffering

For causes of action arising in 2026, Maryland caps noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases at $920,000. Economic damages, including medical bills and lost wages, aren’t capped.

At Miller Stern Lawyers LLC, we emphasize a personal approach and strive to build long-lasting connections with each of our clients. Our Baltimore hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawyers will work closely with you throughout your case, and we’ll continue to keep in touch even after your case is over. 

We know results matter. Call (410) 529-3476 or contact us online to learn more about your legal options.