What Happens If The Umbilical Cord Breaks During Birth?

Did your baby’s broken or compressed umbilical cord cause a birth injury? Wagner Reese, LLP’s birth injury attorneys have the experience and skills to assist you. Our Indiana birth-related injury lawyers have a reputation for holding doctors and medical facilities liable for birth injuries. If you have a strong case caused by a subpar standard of care, our birth injury lawyers could help you receive compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and more. Issues such as umbilical cord complications, including umbilical cord prolapse and nuchal cord (where the umbilical cord wraps around the baby’s neck), can significantly impact the baby’s health and lead to severe outcomes like cerebral palsy. Umbilical cord problems, such as a prolapsed umbilical cord or single umbilical artery, are often preventable with proper medical care and monitoring during delivery.

Wagner Reese birth injury attorneys have received many accolades and awards for their excellent legal results. Many of our law firm’s lawyers are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which is an honor that only 1% of practicing lawyers receive.

Additionally, our distinguished law firm was named to The Best Lawyers in America© by Best Lawyers® lists in 2022 and 2024. Our awards and recognition show how successful our legal team is in fighting for financial justice for our clients. Talk to one of our birth injury lawyers today to learn about your legal options if your case involves umbilical cord abnormalities or medical negligence involving how the umbilical cord connects the baby to the placenta.

The Importance of the Umbilical Cord During Birth

The umbilical cord is essential to the baby’s health during pregnancy and childbirth. The umbilical cord is a tube that provides oxygen and critical nutrients to the fetus through the placenta. It also removes waste from the fetus’ circulatory system.

The umbilical cord forms during the fourth week of pregnancy and is usually about 20 inches long and one inch wide. During delivery, the cord has to be positioned correctly, or the infant could be at risk of brain damage or even death. A common birth injury is the umbilical cord being compressed or broken during delivery. This is a medical emergency because it reduces the oxygen flow and blood given to the baby.

What is Cord Avulsion?

Cord avulsion is a serious birth complication where the umbilical cord tears or completely separates during delivery. This medical emergency can instantly cut off the baby’s oxygen and blood supply, potentially causing brain damage, cerebral palsy, or death within minutes if not immediately addressed.

Cord Avulsion Key Facts:

• Definition: Tearing or rupture of the umbilical cord during birth
• Cause: Often results from excessive traction or pulling on the cord
• Risk: Can cause immediate oxygen deprivation to the baby
• Outcome: May lead to HIE, cerebral palsy, or infant death if not treated immediately
• Prevention: Proper delivery techniques and careful cord management

What Causes Cord Avulsion During Delivery?

Umbilical cord avulsion can occur when:

• Excessive force or traction is applied to the umbilical cord
• The cord is unusually short or fragile
• Healthcare providers attempt to speed up placenta delivery
• Improper cord clamping techniques are used
• The baby is delivered too rapidly during precipitous labor

Is Cord Avulsion Medical Malpractice?

Cord avulsion may constitute medical malpractice when healthcare providers apply excessive force, fail to recognize complications, or delay emergency intervention.

How to File an Umbilical Cord Birth Injury Lawsuit

There are several steps to a successful umbilical cord birth injury lawsuit. During this process, your Wagner Reese attorney will be your dedicated advisor. They will handle everything so you can focus on you and your baby:

• Free legal consultation: Our attorney will review your case at no charge. You don’t need a birth injury diagnosis for this evaluation. We will listen to what happened and determine if malpractice may have been involved.
• Collecting evidence: If your case has merit, your attorney will begin gathering evidence to prove medical malpractice.
• Filing a lawsuit: Your lawyer will file the claim after all key malpractice evidence is collected.
• Settlement negotiations: If the doctor or medical facility was negligent, your attorney will attempt to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company.
• Going to trial: If there is no settlement, your attorney will take the case to court and argue that the healthcare provider or facility caused your child’s birth injury.

Our Indiana Birth Injury Attorneys Are Ready to Assist

If you had a baby recently who suffered from umbilical cord avulsion, it’s understandable to wonder if someone is responsible for the incident. Medical malpractice is the frequent cause of many birth injuries, so having an attorney review your case could be critical to your and your baby’s future.

Wagner Reese, LLP is a proud and passionate advocate for all Indiana injury victims, including injured infants. Our lawyers are ready to fight for the maximum compensation for your medical bills and other losses. If your baby’s umbilical cord was broken or compressed, they could have epilepsy, cerebral palsy, vision or hearing loss, or various cognitive disabilities. If someone was at fault, they should be held accountable in a lawsuit.

When you contact Wagner Reese, our attorneys will gather information about your case and review your legal options at no charge. Contact our birth injury attorneys today at (888) 204-8440