Consult a North Carolina umbilical cord birth injury lawyer if you suspect medical negligence played a role in a birth injury. Families affected by these injuries may face significant medical expenses, emotional distress, and concerns about their child’s future.
Birth Injury Lawyers Group focuses only on birth injury cases, providing in-depth knowledge and legal guidance to families facing these difficult situations. A North Carolina Birth Injury Lawyer can review the details of a case and help families pursue financial compensation for medical bills, therapy, and other related costs.
Who Is Liable for an Umbilical Cord Birth Injury?
When an umbilical cord birth injury occurs, different parties may be responsible, depending on the circumstances. Medical professionals have a duty of care to monitor both the mother and baby during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
If a healthcare provider fails to identify or respond to complications such as oxygen deprivation or fetal distress, this could be considered medical negligence. In such cases, affected families may have the option to file a birth injury lawsuit.
Medical Professionals and Healthcare Institutions
Doctors, nurses, and other medical staff involved in the delivery process must follow proper medical standards to reduce the risk of injury. If a doctor misuses vacuum extractors, fails to address umbilical cord compression, or delays an emergency Caesarian delivery, the consequences can be severe.
Medical Equipment Manufacturers
In some cases, medical devices used during labor and delivery may not function as expected, leading to preventable birth injuries. If a faulty piece of equipment—such as fetal monitoring devices or delivery tools—causes harm, the manufacturer may be held accountable.
Determining who is liable for an umbilical cord birth injury can be complicated, and families may not always know where to start. An umbilical cord birth injury lawyer can review medical records, consult experts, and help establish whether negligence played a role.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Common Causes of Umbilical Cord-Related Birth Injuries
Although medical professionals frequently reassure expectant parents that umbilical cord complications are uncommon, research suggests that these incidents contribute to approximately 10% of infant fatalities. In some cases, these injuries result from natural complications, while in others, medical negligence plays a role.
When medical professionals do not follow the standard of care, infants may experience oxygen deprivation or other harm that could have been prevented.
Medical Mistakes During Labor and Delivery
Medical staff must carefully monitor a baby’s heart rate and signs of distress to ensure a safe delivery. If healthcare professionals fail to respond to abnormal heart rate patterns, delayed oxygen supply can cause birth asphyxia, leading to brain damage or hypoxic brain injury.
Some medical mistakes that may contribute to umbilical cord-related birth injuries include:
- Failure to monitor fetal distress: Delayed response to irregular heart rate patterns may result in oxygen deprivation.
- Delayed emergency delivery: When complications arise, a Caesarian delivery may be needed to prevent harm.
- Improper use of delivery tools: Incorrect use of forceps or vacuum extractors may increase pressure on the umbilical cord.
- Mismanagement of umbilical cord issues: Failure to address a prolapsed or compressed cord can lead to birth trauma.
Delivery room errors, such as improper use of vacuum extractors or forceps, may also contribute to umbilical cord injuries. In some cases, failing to perform a timely Caesarian delivery can increase the risk of injury.
Umbilical Cord Compression and Prolapse
Compression occurs when pressure on the umbilical cord restricts blood flow and oxygen delivery to the baby. This can happen if the cord becomes trapped between the baby and the birth canal during labor.
A prolapsed umbilical cord is another serious condition, occurring when the cord slips through the cervix before the baby is delivered. An experienced umbilical cord birth injury attorney serving North Carolina can explain to families their legal options in these situations.
When umbilical cord-related birth injuries occur, families may have legal options if medical negligence played a role. Understanding the causes of these injuries can help parents seek proper medical and legal guidance to address their child’s needs.
North Carolina Umbilical Cord Birth Injury Lawyer Near Me (800) 222-9529
Long-Term Consequences of Umbilical Cord Birth Injuries
Umbilical cord birth injuries can lead to long-term health challenges for a child. The extent of these issues depends on factors such as the severity of oxygen deprivation, medical care received, and how quickly doctors responded to signs of fetal distress.
Some children may require ongoing medical treatment, while others may face lifelong disabilities affecting mobility, cognition, or overall development.
Physical and Motor Function Challenges
Birth injuries linked to umbilical cord issues may also affect a child’s physical abilities. Brachial plexus injuries, for example, can impact arm and hand function, making certain movements difficult. Spinal cord injuries sustained during delivery may lead to more severe mobility limitations.
Neurological and Developmental Impacts
A lack of oxygen during birth can result in brain damage, which may contribute to conditions such as cerebral palsy or hypoxic brain injury. Children affected by these conditions may experience intellectual disabilities, difficulties with movement, or challenges with speech and coordination.
Emotional and Financial Strain on Families
Parents of children with preventable birth injuries often face emotional and financial difficulties. The cost of medical bills, therapy, and assistive devices can add up over time. Some families may need additional compensation to cover lifelong care or treatment.
In cases where medical negligence contributed to the injury, filing a birth injury lawsuit may provide financial relief to help with these ongoing expenses. Seeking guidance from medical professionals and legal counsel may provide insight into available options for treatment, therapy, and financial support.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
An Umbilical Cord Birth Injury Lawyer Serving North Carolina Can Answer Your Questions
Parents who are dealing with the aftermath of an umbilical cord-related birth injury may have legal questions about their options. An umbilical cord birth injury lawyer serving North Carolina can assess the details of the case and help determine whether medical negligence played a role.
Legal professionals can review medical records to identify potential errors or deviations from the standard of care, and consult with medical experts to evaluate whether proper medical procedures were followed.
Attorneys at Birth Injury Lawyers Group offer a free consultation, allowing families to discuss their concerns without financial risk.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."