Baltimore Umbilical Cord Birth Injury Lawyer
The umbilical cord is a baby’s lifeline when they are in utero. It provides important nutrients and oxygen to the child throughout the pregnancy and during the birthing process. Any injury to the umbilical cord can result in some of the most serious, lifelong complications for the child. In the worst of cases, it can result in an infant’s death. In many cases, an umbilical cord injury could give rise to a medical malpractice claim. In these instances, a Baltimore umbilical cord birth injury lawyer can help you claim the compensation you and your family deserve.
Common Umbilical Cord Birth Injuries
Any damage to the umbilical cord can result in catastrophic effects for the child. The most common umbilical cord birth injuries include:
- Nuchal cords, when the cord wraps around the baby’s neck 360 degrees
- Umbilical cord compression
- Cord prolapse, when it drops through the open cervix into the vagina before the newborn
- True knots
- Vasa Previa, when the blood vessels connecting the umbilical cord to the placenta lie near or cover the entrance to the birth canal
- Short umbilical cords
- Infection of the umbilical cord
While all of the above injuries are serious, there are often treatments that can greatly increase the baby’s chances of a healthy pregnancy and birth. For example, doctors can diagnose vasa previa between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. Once diagnosed, a cesarean section can allow for the healthy delivery of the child before the membranes rupture.
When are Umbilical Cord Birth Injuries Due to Medical Malpractice?
Any time a medical professional deviates from the acceptable standard of care, it is considered medical negligence. When this carelessness results in an umbilical cord birth injury, the child and their parents are entitled to financial compensation for their losses. Some of the most common forms of medical malpractice that result in umbilical cord birth injuries are as follows:
- Failure to monitor: Doctors must closely monitor the child and mother during the pregnancy and throughout the delivery. Blood tests, ultrasounds, and other screening devices must be used to identify umbilical cord injuries and address them appropriately.
- Failure to diagnose: At times, medical professionals may use all the proper screening tools, but they fail to identify a problem.
- Failure to take appropriate action: Even when a woman and her child are properly monitored and diagnosed, if a doctor fails to take the appropriate action to reduce further injury, it is medical negligence.
- Injuries during delivery: It is not always possible to detect an umbilical cord injury in advance. In these cases, medical professionals must identify the problem during delivery and take the necessary steps to remedy it.
Call Our Umbilical Cord Birth Injury Lawyer in Baltimore Today
If your child was harmed during pregnancy or delivery and you believe it was due to medical negligence, our Baltimore umbilical cord birth injury lawyer can help. At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, our skilled attorneys know how to identify medical malpractice and will hold the appropriate liable for paying full damages. Call us today at 410.567.0800 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
