Umbilical Cord Claims

If your baby has been affected by an umbilical cord complication that you believe could have been avoided or better handled by the attending midwives or obstetricians, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation. 

Doctors, nurses, midwives and other medical professionals have a duty of care to manage a prolapsed (collapsed/compressed) umbilical cord slip or other umbilical cord medical complications in a timely manner. If they fail to do so, the consequences for your baby can be life-changing, including causing brain injuries such as cerebral palsy.

In cases that could be deemed negligent, you’ll be able to make a claim for compensation to help maximise your child's recovery and pay for anything they need to accommodate a disability or long-term condition that resulted from umbilical cord complications. At JMW, we have the experience and expertise to ensure you have the best possible chance of getting the outcome you deserve.

For expert legal advice from the team at JMW, call us on 0345 872 6666, or complete our online enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Our understanding and sympathetic solicitors can support your legal case on a no win, no fee basis.

How JMW Can Help

The specialist negligence solicitors here at JMW have a long history of recovering compensation for parents who have experienced medical negligence. We understand how difficult it is for parents to consider embarking on a legal process following a complication at birth. However, our solicitors are friendly, approachable and sympathetic, offering easy-to-understand information and advice throughout, making the course of action as stress-free as possible.

You may be able to make a clinical negligence claim if your baby experienced an umbilical cord complication before or during labour where there was:

• A delay in diagnosing the collapse
• A delay in treatment 
• Incorrect treatment 

These situations can have devastating consequences that might otherwise have been prevented. At JMW, we work to secure compensation that supports families and their newborns as they move forward from what is often a very difficult experience.
Headed by leading solicitor Eddie Jones, our clinical negligence team is one of the most highly regarded in the UK and includes members of both the Law Society's specialist panel for clinical negligence and the Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) solicitors panel. We are here to guide you throughout the process, offering support at every step.

Meet Our Team of Medical Negligence Experts

The medical negligence solicitors at JMW are among the most respected in the UK thanks to their professional and proactive approach.

Umbilical Cord Complications and Abnormalities Explained

Complications and abnormalities of the umbilical cord can sometimes occur during labour and delivery. Due to the importance of the umbilical cord for providing oxygen and nutrients to the baby, any umbilical cord complication should be treated as an emergency.

Examples of umbilical cord complications include:

• Umbilical prolapse - This is when the cord slips into the vagina before the baby passes into the birth canal, potentially decreasing its blood and oxygen supply
• Umbilical cord compression - This can occur should the cord wrap around the baby's body or neck or become crushed during delivery, thus decreasing blood flow and oxygen supply
• Umbilical cord knot - This is when knots form in the cord, which usually happens due to the cord being too long. This can result in the baby's oxygen supply being cut off

These abnormalities can lead to problems during pregnancy or labour, as well as serious brain injuries and heart defects in the baby. It can also lead to death if the baby is deprived of oxygen for too long.

Q

What does the umbilical cord do?

A

The umbilical cord connects a baby in the womb to its mother. It is typically around 50 cm long and runs from the placenta in the womb to the baby's stomach.

The role of the umbilical cord is to transport oxygen and nutrients from the placenta to the baby's bloodstream. Following the birth of the baby, the umbilical cord will be clamped at each end before being cut, which will leave a small stump on the baby's tummy that, when healed, will form into a belly button.

Q

Can an umbilical cord prolapse be due to medical negligence?

A

Whilst negligent care is not usually the cause of an umbilical cord prolapse, the failures in diagnosis or delays in treatment can be negligent. If healthcare professionals fail to act appropriately, particularly when risk factors are present, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. This can include the following types of medical mistakes:

• Failing to identify a prolapsed cord promptly during a vaginal birth, especially where risk factors exist (such as polyhydramnios, a situation where the mother has too much amniotic fluid). If the prolapsed umbilical cord is not treated, it can cut off the oxygen supply to the baby in these cases.
• Delays in escalating to emergency delivery, such as failing to arrange a timely caesarean section when needed. Immediate delivery may be necessary in cases where oxygen supply to the baby is affected (foetal hypoxia) to prevent long-term harm.
• Errors in foetal monitoring or failing to observe signs of foetal distress during birth.
• Using excessive force during assisted delivery methods (forceps/ventouse) after cord prolapse occurs, leading to injury.

If a mother is pregnant with multiple babies, or their baby is lying sideways (in a transverse position), there is a greater risk of umbilical cord prolapse. Medical professionals should monitor the baby's head in these situations, as there is a risk of the cord becoming snared around the baby's neck, or squashed and causing a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain. Not getting enough oxygen is one of the key causes of cerebral palsy.

If the management of umbilical cord prolapse falls below the standard of care expected of medical professionals and that lapse causes harm, it may be deemed negligent and you may be able to make a claim for compensation.