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Hixson & Brown, P.C.
1360 N.W. 121st Street, Suite A
Des Moines, IA 50325
Toll Free: (866) 654-3202
Fax: (515) 440-6395
Email: info@hixsonbrown.com |
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Hixson & Brown, P.C. was founded for the purpose of assisting injured individuals in their quest for justice. The firm's general practice includes a heavy emphasis on medical malpractice and personal injury cases. The firm's attorneys have over 40 years experience in litigating cases in Iowa, California, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri. The firm's attorneys pursue matters in both state and federal courts and before administrative agencies.
We understand that personal injuries cause a great deal of pain, suffering and emotional distress to you and your family. If you are unable to travel to see us, we will come to see you. We personally commit to give you and your family the special attention and representation you deserve. In addition to representing you in the case giving rise to your personal injury, we work with your health insurance company, Social Security Administration, Medicare and/or Medicaid in an effort to ensure maximum recovery and minimal inconvenience to you.
Martindale-Hubbell has certified that the firm of Hixson & Brown, P.C. as an AV rated law firm. “A” signifies the highest level of ability, while “V” denotes “very high” adherence to the professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability and diligence. These legal ability and general ethical standards ratings are derived from confidential opinions and professionally developed surveys conducted by Martindale-Hubbell.
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RUSS HIXSON
Russ Hixson was born in Des Moines, Iowa and has lived there all his life. After graduating from Hoover High School in 1981, he attended the University of Iowa, where he obtained his accounting degree in 1986. He then attended the University Of Iowa College Of Law and graduated in 1989. His Fields of Practice include medical malpractice and personal injury. He had a deep conviction for helping individuals and families that are suffering financially, emotionally and physically from the effects of medical injuries or injuries caused by motor vehicle and truck accidents. READ MORE |
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TERRY BROWN
Terrence D. Brown has been an attorney since 1981. He represents seriously injured individuals who are seeking compensation through the civil justice system. His fields of practice include medical negligence and personal injury. He has practiced in California and Iowa. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1981. He moved to Iowa and was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 1988. He is a sustaining member of the American and Iowa Trial Lawyers Associations. READ MORE |
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| CEREBRAL PALSY |
| The Hixson & Brown Law Firm has represented many babies that suffer from cerebral palsy as a result of medical negligence occurring during the process of labor and delivery. The claims occur for a number of reasons, but the primary result is usually the same: and anoxic (lack of oxygen) injury to the baby. Sometimes the medical malpractice involves the failure of the nursing staff or obstetrician to diagnose a problem with the labor. Other times, the medical negligence involves the failure to diagnose a poor fetal response to labor. In our experience, if a baby is born with a low APGAR score, a low blood pH or a low Base Excess with a resultant brain injury to the baby, the parents should have the complete medical record reviewed by a lawyer who handles medical malpractice claims involving birth injuries. READ MORE |
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| STILL BORN BABIES AND IUGR |
| At birth the baby's weight placed her below the 5% of all babies born in the United States. The baby girl underwent an autopsy and the pathologist determined that she died of intra uterine growth restriction which is commonly referred to as "IUGR." While the baby girl in our case fell below the 5th percentile, generally“birth weight below the population 10th percentile, corrected for gestational age, has been the most widely used criterion for defining growth restriction at birth.” In our case, the mother received her obstetrical care and treatment from a midwife. READ MORE |
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| FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE PRETERM LABOR AND TRANSFER TO A LEVEL III TERTIARY CARE CENTER |
| Like many states, Iowa has a Regionalized System of Perinatal Health Care that was established pursuant to Iowa Code §135.11 and Iowa Administrative Code 641-150.1. Along with this regionalized system, the Iowa Department of Public Health has published “Guidelines for Perinatal Services.” These Guidelines identify their intent as follows:“The intent of Guidelines for Perinatal Services is to assure that when a hospital markets itself at a particular level of perinatal care, it is capable of providing that care. The public is entitled to know the level of functioning. A hospital having determined to participate in the regionalized system of perinatal care shall comply with the guidelines appropriate to the level of participation selected by the hospital and approved by the advisory committee for perinatal guidelines.” READ MORE |
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| MALROATATION OF THE BOWEL AND OBSTRUCTION
IN TWO NEWBORN BABIES |
| Of the cases we have handled for infants injured as a result of medical negligence relating to intestinal or bowel issues, two suffered life threatening injuries. In both cases the physicians failed to promptly diagnose and treat a malrotated bowel with a resulting midgut volvulus. The signs and symptoms for each of these infants were as follows. READ MORE |
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| DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS AND PULMONARY EMBOLISMS |
A deep venous thrombosis is a blood clot that forms most often in the veins of the leg and sometimes in the arms. It is often referred to as a "DVT." Regardless of where the thrombosis/blood clot develops it is a serious medical condition because it may lead to a pulmonary embolism ("PE"). A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot breaks loose in the vein and travels to the lungs where it can cause respiratory failure. This often leads to death.
While anyone can develop a DVT and a pulmonary embolism, certain categories of individuals have been identified as having acquired and/or genetic risk factors that predispose them to the development of a DVT and hence a pulmonary embolism. Most people do not know whether they have a genetic predisposition to develop a DVT since there is normally no reason to routinely test for such genetic factors. On the other hand, certain acquired factors are readily apparent risk factors. READ MORE |
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When a medical professional such as a doctor causes harm to a patient, either through an act of negligence or one of omission, this is medical malpractice. Negligence can include errors in diagnosis as well as treatment or management. Medical malpractice cases can be pursued against a doctor whose actions are not within the range of accepted practices, against a hospital which fails to properly provide medication or other personal or medical care, or against government agencies which administer medical facilities.
Medical malpractice laws are meant to protect patients. They are often difficult and expensive. The law protects patients by allowing them to pursue financial damages, but the complexity of these suits mean that lawsuits for minor injuries are not a realistic option. If you have a medical malpractice claim, you should consult with an experienced attorney to explore your options. READ MORE |
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| Wrongful death occurs when companies or individuals are negligent or either of these are found to have misconduct in their duties to others. These include car accidents, medical malpractice, occupational accidents and others. Statutes are in place for every state to establish procedures for bringing actions against the responsible party or parties; in this case, it is called a Wrongful Death Statute. These statutes list the proper litigants allowed to file suit in a wrongful death, including survivors such as spouses, children, parents and siblings among others. Wrongful death attorneys experienced in these lawsuits are able to walk clients through the essential details of your case to bring optimum results.
Four main causes of wrongful death are medical malpractice (resulting in death), vehicle or public transportation accidents (such as airplane or trains), work related injuries (including exposure to hazardous substances), and possibly deaths during supervised activities. The death must be caused by negligence, causing financial, physical and/or emotional loss for the victim's survivors. In order to file a wrongful death case, you must be entitled to sue according to your state's laws. READ MORE |
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