Short Umbilical Cord Complications

Baltimore Medical Malpractice Attorneys Helping Families Harmed by Birth Injuries Seek Justice

Short umbilical cord complications present one of the most overlooked but dangerous risks during pregnancy and childbirth. The umbilical cord is the baby’s lifeline, carrying oxygen and nutrients essential for growth and survival. When the cord is unusually short, it creates a heightened risk of harm that can escalate dramatically during labor and delivery. In these moments, minutes matter, and medical providers must be vigilant in monitoring both mother and baby. Failure to detect or properly manage short umbilical cord complications can lead to devastating and permanent injuries. If your child suffered an injury at birth due to short umbilical cord complications, it is advisable to talk to an attorney about what claims you may be able to pursue. The skilled Baltimore birth injury attorneys of Arfaa Law Group understand the devastating impact of preventable medical harm, and if you hire us, we will aggressively pursue accountability for your losses.

The Harm Caused by Short Umbilical Cord Complications

The risks associated with a short umbilical cord are both immediate and long-lasting. During delivery, a short cord may become overstretched as the baby moves through the birth canal. This tension can impair blood and oxygen flow, leaving the infant at risk of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, cerebral palsy, or developmental delays. In some cases, the cord may detach from the placenta altogether, causing a placental abruption and triggering a life-threatening emergency for both mother and child. Infants deprived of oxygen even for a few minutes may face lifelong disabilities, requiring extensive therapy, adaptive equipment, and ongoing medical care.

Proving Liability for Short Umbilical Cord Complications

Families harmed by short umbilical cord complications will often pursue damages from the parties responsible for their child’s injury. In most instances, they will need to establish the defendant’s negligence to prove liability.

In Maryland, the first element of negligence is duty. Duty refers to the responsibility that physicians and hospitals owe to their patients to provide care consistent with established medical standards. The second element of negligence, breach, occurs when that duty is not upheld; for instance, when providers fail to recognize warning signs such as restricted fetal movement, abnormal heart rate patterns, or other indicators of cord restriction. It may also involve the failure to order timely ultrasounds, initiate continuous fetal monitoring, or perform an emergency C-section when the situation requires it.

Next, the plaintiff must establish causation. In other words, they must link the defendant’s breach directly to the injuries sustained, showing that if proper care had been provided, the devastating outcome could have been avoided or significantly reduced.

In most birth injury cases, the plaintiff must retain an expert to define the applicable standard of care, explain how it was breached, and connect the negligent acts and the injuries. Their testimony often makes the difference between a successful claim and one that fails.

The Damages Available in Birth Injury Cases

Because short umbilical cord complications can cause permanent harm, the damages available in malpractice cases are often extensive. Economic damages may cover immediate hospital bills, long-term therapy, home modifications, and the costs of in-home caregivers. Families may also recover compensation for lost wages if parents are forced to leave work to care for a disabled child. Non-economic damages recognize the profound personal losses that accompany these injuries, including the child’s diminished quality of life, the parents’ emotional suffering, and the disruption of family life.

Speak to a Compassionate Baltimore Medical Malpractice Attorney About Your Case

The effects of short umbilical cord complications can ripple through every aspect of a family’s life, leaving behind medical challenges, emotional distress, and financial uncertainty. If your child suffered injuries because a healthcare provider failed to properly address this condition, you may be entitled to compensation, and you should speak to an attorney. At Arfaa Law Group, our Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys are well-equipped to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable for the harm they cause, and if you hire us, we will fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve. Our office is located in Baltimore, and we represent families across the city and throughout Maryland. Call us at 410-889-1850 or reach us online to schedule a free consultation.