It is difficult to track how common umbilical cord birth injuries are because many do not result in any apparent injuries or lasting damage to the baby. When a problem with the baby’s umbilical cord is discovered during pregnancy, there are numerous options for addressing the concern.
Your baby may require regular screenings and scans to monitor the condition, and you may need to see a high-risk doctor with more experience concerning umbilical cord complications. With close monitoring, some of these concerns could even resolve on their own.
However, if the doctor fails to monitor the pregnancy, does not correctly diagnose the condition, or does not take the appropriate action once they see a problem, the baby may suffer from the following:
- Serious injuries
- Brain damage
- Damage to other organs
- Lasting disabilities
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Minor Umbilical Cord Accidents Are Very Common
According to the American Pregnancy Association, about ten percent of all babies experience compression of the umbilical cord during delivery. While this type of injury can lead to significant, lifelong medical concerns, including cerebral palsy or epilepsy, most babies experience it only briefly and suffer no lasting effects.
Other conditions that may occur but clear up on their own or cause only a momentary loss of blood flow include:
- Cord prolapse
- Nuchal cord
- Vasa previa
- Cord knots and twists
However, when negligence occurs, and these conditions are not diagnosed, monitored, or treated, the baby may suffer preventable birth injuries and live with significant disabilities and unforeseen medical challenges.
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Umbilical Cord Injuries are a Leading Cause of Stillbirth
While it is difficult to determine how common umbilical cord birth injuries are, evidence shows that umbilical cord-related concerns are a leading cause of stillbirth in the United States.
According to BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, one study points to umbilical cord concerns, accidents, or injuries causing about ten percent of all stillbirths. You can compare this to:
- Nine percent related to hypertension
- Eight percent caused by all other maternal medical concerns combined
In the same article, a separate literature review of medical records found that about 15 percent of all stillbirths could be traced to an umbilical cord accident.
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Liability for Umbilical Cord Birth Injuries
If your child suffers from conditions caused by an umbilical cord birth injury, or if they passed away as a result of such an injury, it may be possible to hold the negligent doctor or hospital accountable. You can work with an attorney who represents families like yours in your state.
Your lawyer will call in expert witnesses to review your child’s case, assign liability, and build a claim against the liable parties that could include:
- The doctor who should have closely monitored the pregnancy
- The doctor who oversaw labor and delivering
- Another medical care professional involved in your child’s care
- The medical practice of the doctors involved
- The hospital where your child was delivered
In order to hold a doctor or facility responsible for your child’s injuries, it will be necessary to prove four things:
- They owed your child a duty of care.
- They failed to provide an acceptable standard of care to your child.
- This failure caused your child’s umbilical cord injury or allowed it to occur without intervention.
- Your family sustained financial damages as a result.
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Building an Umbilical Cord Birth Injury Legal Claim
Your birth injury attorney will help you develop support for your claim and navigate the process to seek compensation based on your child’s birth injuries. This process relies on:
- Expert witnesses
- A thorough analysis of the relevant medical records
- Documentation of your current and future damages
You may be able to recover compensation to help pay for your child’s treatment and support, but time to take legal action is limited. Each state has its own specific timelines and rules that apply. Contact a law firm handling birth injuries in your area as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss any deadlines.
Many medical malpractice law firms that handle birth injury also accept wrongful death cases. If your child passed away from their birth injuries, you should reach out to speak with a legal team about your options today.
Talk to a Member of Our Team to Learn More Today
If your child suffered an umbilical cord injury, you can learn more and get help today. Contact the Birth Injury Lawyers Group for a complimentary consultation about your child’s potential medical malpractice injuries. Our initial assessments are confidential and free, and our lawyers represent clients based on contingency fees, which means that you do not pay us until you receive compensation.
Dial (800) 222-9529 now to speak with a team member about your rights and what steps to take next.
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