Obtaining the Best Possible Results FOR EVERY CLIENT
Marianna HIE Lawyer
Fighting For Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Victims in Florida
Learning that your baby has hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy can be overwhelming. You may be wondering what this diagnosis really means, whether it could have been prevented, and how you will afford the care your child may need for years to come. You might also be hearing different explanations from medical providers and do not know what to believe.
At Perry & Young, we help families look closely at what happened during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the newborn period to see whether medical mistakes played a role. If your child has been diagnosed with HIE and you are considering an HIE lawsuit, our team in Marianna and across Northwest Florida is here to listen and guide you through your options. We offer free case evaluations and work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay us unless there is a recovery in your case.
Call us today at (850) 215-7777 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our HIE attorney in Marianna.
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- Looking for legal advice?
- In need of a legal consultation?
- Looking for answers?
Our firm was founded here in Bay County, and our attorneys are local and care about our neighbors and friends. Each week as a service back to our community, we answer your questions on WMBB Channel 13. Have legal questions? Tune into LAW CALL each week or check out our list of previous episodes.
"This law firm is who you need to call if you have an injury."
This law firm is who you need to call if you have an injury. I had the pleasure of working with Ryan and team; all who were prompt and knowledgeable both in informing me of updates or answering any questions I had. Thank you again!
- Ann D.
Why Choose Us?
Parents who come to us after an HIE diagnosis are usually juggling medical appointments, therapy evaluations, and constant worries about their child’s future. On top of that, they are often questioning whether warning signs during labor were ignored or whether a C-section should have happened sooner. Our role is to take on the legal and investigative burdens so you can focus on your child.
Our firm was built by former legal investigators, and that perspective shapes how we approach every potential case. We gather and review labor and delivery records, fetal monitoring strips, NICU charts, and other documentation to build an accurate picture of what happened. We work with appropriate medical professionals to evaluate whether standards of care were followed or whether avoidable delays or errors may have contributed to your baby’s brain injury.
When you work with our team, you are not left to navigate this alone. Each family is assigned a lead attorney and a supporting attorney, along with a coordinated group of staff members who stay familiar with your case. This two-lawyer model helps us remain responsive even when one attorney is in court or handling another matter. We strive to explain each step of the process in plain language, keep you updated, and move at a pace that respects what your family is going through.
Because we have a former insurance defense attorney and former insurance professionals on staff, we understand how insurers evaluate serious birth injury claims. We use that knowledge when we prepare a claim, from documenting your child’s early challenges to planning for future medical and support needs. Throughout the process, we focus on your child as a person, not as a file number, and we work to align our legal strategy with your family’s goals and concerns.
Understanding HIE & Possible Negligence
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a type of brain injury that occurs when a baby’s brain does not receive enough oxygen and blood flow. This can happen before birth, during labor and delivery, or shortly after birth. Sometimes HIE is related to conditions that could not have been prevented. Other times, it may be linked to delays or mistakes in how healthcare providers respond to signs of distress.
Common medical situations connected to HIE can include prolonged or very difficult labor, problems with the umbilical cord, issues with the placenta, or blood pressure and bleeding problems in the mother. There may also be concerns about how quickly the medical team reacted to abnormal fetal heart rate patterns or whether an emergency C-section was ordered in time. Not every concerning event indicates negligence, but these factors can be important when we evaluate whether to sue for HIE.
When families ask whether they can sue for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, we explain that the answer depends on the medical records and the timeline of care. Our attorneys look for specific signs that standards of care may not have been followed, such as delayed responses to fetal distress, inadequate monitoring, or mismanaged maternal complications. We then consult with qualified medical professionals to determine whether the care you received fell below what is considered acceptable in similar situations.
Some red flags families sometimes notice around the time of birth include:
- Very long labor combined with repeated concerns about the baby’s heart rate
- Delays in calling for a C-section after signs of fetal distress
- Use of vacuum or forceps with little improvement in the baby’s condition
- A baby who is blue, floppy, or not breathing well at birth
- Need for extensive resuscitation or immediate transfer to a higher-level nursery
We do not expect you to know whether any of these issues mean there was malpractice, and we understand that memory after a traumatic delivery can be blurry. Part of our work as your legal team is to obtain and examine the records, talk with appropriate medical professionals, and help you understand whether the care provided met the standards that hospitals and providers are expected to follow.
What To Do After An HIE Diagnosis
After an HIE diagnosis, your attention is understandably on your child’s medical needs. At the same time, certain steps can help protect your child’s legal rights and preserve information that may be important later. Our goal is to make these steps as manageable as possible while you focus on caring for your baby.
Helpful actions you can take, when you are ready, include:
- Keeping copies of discharge summaries, NICU records, and follow-up evaluations in one place
- Writing down what you remember about pregnancy, labor, and delivery, including who was present
- Saving any written information you received from the hospital about complications during birth
- Tracking your child’s early symptoms, therapies, and medical appointments
- Reaching out to an HIE attorney in Marianna
In Florida, medical malpractice cases are subject to time limits, and there are procedures that must be followed before a lawsuit is filed. The specific deadlines can depend on several factors, including when the injury is discovered. For that reason, it is usually helpful to talk with a lawyer sooner rather than later, so we have time to investigate and preserve key evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child’s HIE was caused by negligence?
The only reliable way is through careful review of medical records and the timeline of care. We obtain records from pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the newborn period and consult appropriate medical professionals. Together, we look for signs that standards of care were not followed.
What will it cost to hire your team for an HIE case?
We provide free case evaluations and work on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay us upfront, and our fee is a percentage of any recovery we obtain for you. We also advance case costs, so you are not asked to pay for expenses as the case progresses.
Will an HIE lawsuit affect my child’s medical care now?
Filing a claim does not automatically change your child’s current medical care. Many families continue treating with the same providers while a case is pending. We can discuss any concerns about ongoing treatment and help you consider options that protect both medical and legal interests.
What happens during an HIE case review with your Marianna office?
During a review, we start by listening to your story and answering your questions. We then explain what records we would need and how our investigation process works. You meet our attorneys and team members, and we outline possible next steps so you can decide how to proceed.
How long do I have to sue for HIE in Florida?
Florida medical malpractice laws set deadlines, and the details can depend on when the injury is discovered and other factors. Because these rules are complex, we encourage families to contact us as soon as they can. Early contact gives us more time to review records and protect your options.
Contact Our Marianna Erb's Palsy Lawyer Today
If your child has been diagnosed with HIE and you have questions about what happened, you do not have to search for answers alone. Our attorneys at Perry & Young work with families in Marianna and throughout Northwest Florida who are considering a hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy lawsuit or simply want a clearer understanding of their legal options.
We offer free consultations, are available around the clock, and handle cases on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay us unless there is a recovery. When you contact us, we take time to listen, explain the process, and give you space to decide what feels right for your family.
Contact us today to get started with our Marianna Erb's Palsy attorney.