Was your child harmed because of umbilical cord compression in Atlanta, GA? Umbilical cord compression is a common complication that can be incredibly dangerous if not diagnosed and treated properly. Call Georgia Baby Safety at 404-995-6033 for a free consultation with an Atlanta umbilical cord compression lawyer.
Our attorneys have over 50 years of experience helping families like yours. We’ve successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation awards. Reach out to our law office to learn about your legal rights and options following a birth injury.
Why Choose Georgia Baby Safety for Help With an Umbilical Cord Compression Claim in Atlanta, GA?
Bringing a child into the world in Atlanta, Georgia, should be a carefully managed and closely monitored process. When faced with a complication, you expect your baby to receive immediate care. If your medical provider made a mistake, you deserve the best possible Atlanta birth injury attorney in your corner.
Our lawyers at Georgia Baby Safety have decades of experience. We’ve also secured substantial settlements and jury verdicts for our clients.
Over the years, we’ve been recognized as a “Top 100” lawyer by Super Lawyers in Georgia and by The National Trial Lawyers. Our Atlanta umbilical cord compression attorneys are ready to use our experience to your advantage.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
An Overview of Umbilical Cord Compression
The umbilical cord is a fetus’s lifeline during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. It carries blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the baby and helps remove waste.
Umbilical cord compression occurs when the cord is pinched, flattened, or twisted. When that happens, the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the baby can be reduced.
Mild, temporary umbilical cord compression is common — even normal during pregnancy. The baby’s movement within the uterus and contractions during labor can cause periodic compression.
That said, more serious and prolonged umbilical cord compression can cause serious complications.
How Much Money Is My Atlanta Umbilical Cord Compression Case Worth?
The unsatisfying answer is: it depends on the facts. The facts determine the value of any birth injury case.
Key factors include:
- The severity of the damage
- Whether your child will ever make a full recovery
- Your family’s current compression-related expenses
- The income you’ve lost due to the compression
- Anticipated future impacts on your child’s future
- How your family has suffered mentally
- The nature of the mistake
Treating a serious birth injury can quickly become expensive. Recovering compensation can’t turn back the clock, but it can give your family the financial security you deserve to move forward.
What Damages Are Available to Victims of Umbilical Cord Compression in Atlanta?
Birth injury victims have the right to pursue compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic losses include:
- Medical costs
- Treatment of complications
- Rehabilitation
- Mental health counseling for parents of injured babies
- Help with personal care
- Increased childcare costs
- Specialized education needs
- Anticipated loss of education and career opportunities associated with a permanent disability
These damages can often be supported with medical records, bills, and other documentation.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are also available to help you cope with:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental trauma
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Long-term disability
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Inability to enjoy healthy childhood activities
Those responsible can be held accountable for any loss your family has experienced.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Atlanta Umbilical Cord Compression Lawyer in Georgia?
Our team at Georgia Baby Safety operates on a contingency fee basis. You’ll pay nothing unless our attorneys recover compensation in your case; in that case, our fee will be a percentage of your recovery. If we fail to recover compensation for you, you won’t owe us anything.
What Are Some Indicators of Umbilical Cord Compression?
Not all birth injuries can be predicted. Similarly, not all complications can be prevented. Still, medical professionals should be able to identify risk factors and reduce the risk.
They should also be able to identify signs of umbilical cord compression and take appropriate steps to mitigate the risk of harm.
Signs of umbilical cord compression include:
- Decreased fetal heart rate
- Increased or decreased movement of the fetus within the womb
- Umbilical cord prolapse, where the umbilical cord enters the birth canal ahead of the baby
- Abnormal amniotic fluid levels
- Abnormalities in ultrasound testing
The risk of developing the complication may increase based on:
- The mother’s age
- The presence of twins or multiple fetuses
- An umbilical cord that is particularly long
- Premature delivery
It’s important to understand the risk factors associated with umbilical cord compression. If any are present, continuous monitoring may be necessary to detect this complication.
What Potential Complications Can Result From Umbilical Cord Compression?
When umbilical cord compression is promptly diagnosed and properly treated, the baby can be born without major health issues.
Unfortunately, major complications can arise in cases involving prolonged or untreated umbilical cord compression.
Possibilities include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
- Seizures
- Organ damage or organ failure
- Respiratory acidosis
- Wrongful death, in the most serious cases
Medical providers are trained to respond to warning signs. Prompt medical care can be critical to preventing these and other serious complications.
What Can a Medical Provider Do to Reduce the Risk of Harm Associated With Umbilical Cord Compression?
Appropriate treatment and management of umbilical cord compression often depend on the underlying cause and the patient’s unique situation.
Depending on the facts, a healthcare provider might:
- Advise the mother to change positions in cases involving relatively minor umbilical cord compression (i.e., move from the left side to the right side)
- Administer IV fluids in order to push more nutrients to the fetus through the cord
- Use an amnioinfusion if the mother’s amniotic fluid is low, which can relieve pressure that causes umbilical cord compression
- Provide the mother with oxygen, which can effectively increase the oxygen the fetus receives through the umbilical cord
- Order a C-section if possible, particularly in cases involving more serious fetal distress
Prompt diagnosis and treatment can be critical to preventing the most serious damage.
What Do I Have to Prove to Recover Compensation for Umbilical Cord Compression Injuries in Georgia?
Our umbilical cord compression attorneys in Atlanta focus on helping families like yours. You can count on us to handle any legal issues you’ll face.
Most personal injury claims are based on negligence. To hold the at-fault parties accountable, you’ll likely have to prove:
- You and your baby were the defendant’s patient, so they owed you a duty of care.
- The care you received fell below the accepted medical standard of care.
- The medical provider’s failure to meet the accepted standard of care caused your injuries or other damages.
- You suffered measurable damages as a result, and their value can be established.
The standard of care in medical negligence cases is a moving target. It will depend on things like your medical history, the nature of the complication, and the defendant’s role in the medical process.
In all cases, expert witness testimony will be critical to the success of your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit for Umbilical Cord Compression in Georgia?
Most Georgia medical malpractice cases must be filed within two years. However, birth injury cases can involve different deadlines, especially when the injury is not discovered right away.
There is also a statute of repose. Under Georgia law, most medical malpractice lawsuits must be filed within five years of the negligent act or omission, regardless of when the injury is discovered. This deadline can bar a claim even if the statute of limitations has not expired.
Contact a Seasoned Atlanta Umbilical Cord Compression Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today
If your baby was harmed because medical providers failed to properly diagnose or treat umbilical cord compression, Georgia Baby Safety can help. Our Atlanta umbilical cord compression attorneys understand how devastating birth injuries can be, and we are ready to fight for the answers and compensation your family deserves.
With over 50 years of experience and relationships with trusted medical experts, we have the resources to build a strong case on your behalf. Reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help your family move forward.