Umbilical Cord Prolapse Birth Injury Claims

July 26, 2024 | Birth Injury

Umbilical Cord Prolapse Birth Injury Claims

Umbilical cord prolapse (UCP) is an uncommon obstetric emergency. It can cause permanent impairments or death for the unborn infant.

There are two types of umbilical cord prolapse. Overt UCP occurs when the umbilical cord drops through the cervix into the vagina before the baby enters the birth canal. Occult UCP occurs when the cord slips out of the cervix beside the baby.

The cord can become pinched or compressed in either situation, resulting in inadequate blood and oxygen supply to the baby. The umbilical cord could also become wrapped around the baby’s neck, causing the baby to choke.

If a doctor does not timely diagnose and treat umbilical cord prolapse, the baby could develop life-altering impairments or die from loss of oxygen and blood supply.

What Are the Risks for Umbilical Cord Prolapse?

Physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals should assess the mother for risk factors for umbilical cord prolapse.

When the medical staff identifies risks for umbilical cord prolapse ahead of labor and delivery, they are prepared to treat the condition quickly if it occurs. Some risk factors occur during labor and delivery, but they can be identified quickly if the medical staff is monitoring the mother and fetus adequately.

Risk factors that increase the chance of UCP include,

  • Premature delivery, especially before 36 weeks
  • Premature membrane rupture
  • Previous high-risk pregnancies
  • Using a vacuum or forceps during delivery
  • The baby is in an abnormal position

Doctors can use electronic fetal heart monitoring to detect umbilical cord prolapse. Abnormal fetal heart rates are an indication of UCP. Severe heart deceleration and bradycardia can also include umbilical cord prolapse.

A doctor may discover a UCP during a pelvic examination. They may feel or see the umbilical cord prolapse into the vagina.

What Are the Consequences of Umbilical Cord Prolapse?

The umbilical cord may be pinched or become wrapped around the baby’s neck. The result is a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain and vital organs. If left untreated, UCP can result in fetal hypoxia, cerebral palsy, and death. The longer umbilical cord prolapse goes undiagnosed and treated, the greater the risk of catastrophic injury to the baby.

Brain damage can result in permanent cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments. Vital organs may be permanently damaged from the lack of oxygen and blood.

Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim for Umbilical Cord Prolapse in Pennsylvania

Birth injuries may result from conditions and circumstances doctors could not anticipate or reasonably foresee. However, negligence and malpractice are also reasons for childbirth injuries, including umbilical cord prolapse. If your child was injured during labor and delivery, you may be entitled to damages for you and your child.

Failing to diagnose or treat umbilical cord prolapse in a timely manner could be grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Proving medical malpractice requires you to have evidence establishing the following:

  • The medical provider owed you and your child a legal duty of care
  • The medical professional breached the duty of care by failing to provide an acceptable medical standard of care for a situation
  • The medical errors or negligence was the direct and proximate cause of the injuries
  • You and your baby sustained injuries and damages because of negligence and medical errors

A medical malpractice lawyer can investigate the circumstances surrounding the umbilical cord prolapse. They’ll gather evidence and consult medical experts to determine if your doctor committed malpractice. If so, you can proceed with a malpractice claim seeking compensation for damages.

You can seek economic and non-economic damages for an umbilical cord prolapse injury claim. Damages include:

  • The cost of medical treatment for you and your baby
  • Diminished quality of life your baby will experience 
  • Loss of earning capacity for your child
  • Your lost wages incurred because you had to care for your child
  • Special educational needs and rehabilitative therapies
  • Emotional distress and mental anguish
  • Pain and suffering
  • Long-term disability, impairments, and disfigurement
  • Out-of-pocket expenses and costs

The value of your birth injury claim depends on the facts of your case. The severity of your baby’s injuries and disabilities are a factor. The evidence you have proving negligence and medical errors is another factor.

Act Quickly To File an Umbilical Cord Prolapse Injury Claim in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania statute of limitations for most medical malpractice claims is two years. The time limit begins when the malpractice is discovered or should have reasonably been discovered. A strict 7-year deadline is imposed for medical malpractice claims as well.

There are exceptions when the injured party is a minor. Therefore, you may have additional time to file a claim for umbilical cord prolapse on behalf of your child. However, it is best to seek legal advice from a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. Delays in investigating claims could result in losing crucial evidence needed to prove your claim.

If you have questions about a birth injury claim or medical malpractice claim, contact our personal injury lawyers for a free consultation.

If you’ve been injured in a personal injury, please contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today:

Harrisburg Law Office
945 East Park Drive, Suite 103 Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 231-1640

York Law Office
2550 Kingston Road, Suite 210A York, PA 17401
(717) 995-8998

Wyomissing Law Office
833 N. Park Road, Suite 103, Room A Wyomissing, PA 19610
(717) 388-2325

Chambersburg Law Office
79 St. Paul Drive, Suite 1 Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717) 388-2378

Carlisle Law Office
354 Alexander Springs Road Carlisle, PA 17015
(717) 995-8732

Carbondale Law Office
30 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 101 Carbondale, PA 18407
(717) 995-8810

Lancaster Law Office
2173 Embassy Drive, Ste 123, Lancaster Pa 17603
(717) 616-2954

Lebanon Law Office
937 Willow Street, Suite D Lebanon, PA 17042-1140
(717) 995-8963