When a newborn experiences oxygen deprivation during labor or delivery, timely medical treatment is critical to prevent lasting brain injury. One of the most important interventions in these circumstances is therapeutic hypothermia, also known as brain or whole-body cooling. This treatment can significantly reduce the risk of neurological damage when provided within hours of birth. Some infants are denied this opportunity because doctors fail to recognize or respond to signs of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) or other oxygen-related complications.
A Connecticut therapeutic hypothermia lawyer from Berkowitz Hanna can help your family seek accountability and the compensation your child deserves. Our firm is among the top medical malpractice law firms in the state, with more than $400 million in verdicts and settlements. Our birth injury attorneys combine medical knowledge, legal skill, and compassion to pursue justice for families.
Therapeutic hypothermia is used to limit brain injury in newborns who experience oxygen deprivation during birth. According to established medical standards, healthcare professionals must identify qualifying infants promptly and begin cooling within 6 hours of delivery. The procedure involves lowering the baby’s body temperature to minimize swelling and prevent further brain damage.
Failing to meet these standards can constitute negligence under Connecticut law. Medical malpractice occurs when a provider deviates from the accepted standard of care—meaning they acted differently than a reasonably competent physician would under similar circumstances. In these cases, families often turn to an experienced lawyer in Connecticut who understands therapeutic hypothermia cases. The attorney can determine whether their child’s care team failed to act within the required timeframe. If a hospital delayed recognizing HIE or failed to order brain cooling in time, your family may have grounds for a malpractice claim.
When therapeutic hypothermia is not initiated promptly, the effects can be life-altering. Babies who are deprived of oxygen without timely cooling therapy face an increased risk of seizures, developmental delays, and cerebral palsy. Even a brief delay in starting treatment can impact long-term neurological function. Families dealing with these consequences often face significant medical costs and emotional challenges.
A Connecticut attorney experienced in therapeutic hypothermia malpractice cases can work with experts to demonstrate how the failure to administer cooling caused your child’s injuries. This process may include reviewing fetal monitoring records, delivery notes, and hospital policies. At Berkowitz Hanna, we collaborate with neonatologists, neurologists, and other professionals to build strong cases for families across Connecticut.
Birth injury cases require compliance with specific procedural steps. One of the most important is the certificate of good faith, required under Connecticut General Statutes § 52-190a. This certificate must include an opinion from a qualified medical expert stating that there is a reasonable basis for the claim.
Preparing this documentation demands detailed investigation and the guidance of an attorney who understands the medical and legal standards that apply to therapeutic hypothermia cases in Connecticut.
Our attorneys handle every aspect of this process. We will pursue compensation for current and future medical needs, pain and suffering, and the financial burden associated with lifelong disabilities. Above all, we are committed to protecting your child’s well-being and future stability.
Therapeutic hypothermia can change the outcome of a newborn’s recovery after oxygen deprivation, but only if provided promptly and properly. When hospitals fail to follow these protocols, the results can be devastating. Families in this situation have the right to demand accountability from negligent healthcare providers.
Call today to schedule a free consultation with a Connecticut therapeutic hypothermia lawyer. We are here to guide you through every step of the legal process and help you protect your child’s future.
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