VBAC Uterine Rupture Lawyer

Last Updated on October 7, 2026 by Patrick A. Salvi II

A vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) happens when a mother who previously delivered by cesarean section gives birth via vaginal delivery in a later pregnancy. Many women pursue VBAC to avoid undergoing second surgical recoveries and reduce the risks associated with multiple cesarean deliveries. For most patients, a trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) proceeds without incident, and studies indicate that between 60 and 80 percent of these attempts result in a successful vaginal delivery.

However, TOLAC carries serious risks that do not exist with repeat cesarean sections, one of which is the potential for uterine rupture. Uterine rupture is a rare complication, but it is more likely to affect women who have previously given birth via cesarean since prior cesarean incisions can tear open during labor. This kind of rupture is a medical emergency that can cut off oxygen and blood flow to the baby within minutes and cause severe hemorrhage in the mother. Because this complication can develop so quickly, medical teams must watch for warning signs and respond without delay. If they fail to do so, both the mother and baby face serious risks.

Not every uterine rupture is due to malpractice. Rupture remains a recognized complication of TOLAC even when medical providers follow every applicable protocol. Still, a rupture can result from negligence if a physician or hospital staff member fails to properly screen a patient for TOLAC candidacy, neglects to monitor the mother and baby closely during labor, or delays an emergency cesarean delivery once warning signs appear.

If your family suffered harm because a medical provider missed or ignored signs of uterine rupture during a VBAC attempt, the birth injury lawyers at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can review the details of your delivery and explain your legal options. Our firm has spent more than 40 years helping families hold negligent medical providers accountable throughout Illinois, and we are ready to help you, too. Contact us now for a free consultation with a VBAC uterine rupture lawyer.

What Is a VBAC Uterine Rupture?

A VBAC uterine rupture occurs when the uterine wall, weakened by a previous cesarean incision, tears completely during a trial of labor. The tear can extend through all layers of the uterus, including the outer covering, and may allow the baby, placenta, or umbilical cord to pass into the mother’s abdominal cavity. This differs from a less severe condition called uterine dehiscence, in which the outer layer of the uterus stays intact even as the underlying muscle separates and the amniotic sac remains covered.

Uterine rupture during VBAC qualifies as a medical emergency. Once a rupture begins, the supply of oxygen and blood to the baby drops rapidly, and the mother faces a substantial risk of hemorrhage. Physicians must perform emergency cesarean deliveries within minutes to protect both the mother and the infant. Our birth injury attorneys can investigate whether your medical team recognized the danger signs promptly and responded within the narrow window that patient safety demands.

How Does Uterine Rupture Happen During a VBAC?

Uterine rupture can occur during a VBAC attempt if the scar tissue from a previous C-section incision cannot withstand the pressure generated by contractions and fetal movements during labor. Several factors can increase this risk. For example, patients with prior classical, or vertical, uterine incisions face considerably higher chances of rupture than patients with low transverse incisions, which is why many physicians consider a vertical scar a contraindication to TOLAC.

A patient’s number of prior cesarean deliveries is another relevant factor. Research shows that patients with one prior low transverse cesarean section have a rupture risk below one percent, but that risk increases to between one and two percent after two prior cesarean deliveries. Most physicians, along with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, consider patients with up to two prior cesarean deliveries reasonable candidates for TOLAC.

Labor induction, particularly with the use of certain medications, increases the risk of rupture substantially and is generally contraindicated in VBAC patients. Spontaneous labor carries a lower rupture risk than induced labor. A prior history of uterine rupture and insufficient spacing between pregnancies can further elevate the risk.

If a physician disregards any of these known risk factors and proceeds with an inappropriate TOLAC candidate or induces labor improperly, they may be responsible for resulting uterine ruptures and VBAC injuries.

Signs of Uterine Rupture During VBAC

During a VBAC attempt, labor and delivery teams must continuously monitor the mother and baby for possible signs of uterine rupture. Because this complication can progress to an emergency within minutes, medical professionals must carefully be on the lookout for the following warning signs:

Abnormal Fetal Heart Rate: A sudden, unexplained drop or irregularity in the baby’s heart rate is the most common indicator of rupture and is present in a large majority of documented cases.
Severe or Unusual Abdominal Pain: Severe abdominal pain that feels disproportionate to normal contractions, or pain that persists between contractions, can signal that the uterine wall has torn.
Change in Contraction Pattern: A sudden increase, decrease, or cessation of contractions can indicate that the mother’s uterus is no longer functioning normally.
Loss of Fetal Station: If the baby’s head, previously descending through the birth canal, suddenly moves upward, this can mean the baby has shifted into the abdominal cavity through a rupture.
Vaginal Bleeding or Blood in the Urine: Unexpected or excessive bleeding, or blood detected in a urine collection bag, may point to internal injury associated with rupture.
Maternal Signs of Shock: A rapid heart rate, sharp drops in blood pressure, or other signs of low blood volume in the mother can indicate significant internal blood loss.

Any one of these signs calls for immediate evaluation. When several appear together, medical teams should prepare for an immediate emergency delivery. Even a short delay in response can substantially worsen health outcomes for both the mother and child.

When Is a VBAC Uterine Rupture Considered Medical Malpractice?

Just because a uterine rupture happens does not automatically mean that medical malpractice occurred. Because this complication can arise suddenly, even the most attentive, qualified medical teams sometimes cannot prevent it. However, a VBAC uterine rupture may give rise to a malpractice claim if medical professionals fail to meet the accepted standard of care and that failure caused or worsened the resulting harm.

Several forms of negligence can give rise to VBAC malpractice cases, such as:

A physician failing to properly screen a patient for TOLAC eligibility or overlooking risk factors like prior classical incisions, a history of uterine rupture, or multiple prior cesarean deliveries
A hospital lacking adequate staffing or equipment to perform an emergency C section on short notice, despite accepting a VBAC patient into its care
A nurse or physician failing to maintain continuous fetal monitoring, misreading a fetal heart tracing, or dismissing a mother’s reports of severe pain during labor

Once warning signs of rupture appear, any unreasonable delay in ordering or performing an emergency cesarean section can turn a survivable complication into a life-threatening injury.

Because uterine rupture is uncommon and often develops without warning, it can be difficult to establish a connection between a healthcare provider’s conduct and any resulting harm. A uterine rupture malpractice attorney can work with independent medical consultants to reconstruct the timeline of labor and determine whether medical staff deviated from the standard of care at any stage of the process.

Injuries Caused by VBAC Uterine Rupture

A uterine rupture during VBAC can produce severe, and sometimes irreversible, harm to the mother and baby. Possible injuries associated with this complication include:

Fetal Oxygen Deprivation: When the uterus tears, the baby’s oxygen supply can stop or slow dramatically, which can lead to a condition known as fetal hypoxia or asphyxia.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: Prolonged oxygen deprivation can cause severe brain damage in newborns, sometimes leading to cerebral palsy or other lifelong neurological conditions.
Maternal Hemorrhage: Mothers can lose a substantial volume of blood due to severe hemorrhaging, possibly requiring blood transfusion.
Hysterectomy: When other measures fail to control the bleeding, surgeons may need to conduct an emergency hysterectomy, which eliminates the mother’s ability to carry future pregnancies.
Additional Surgical Complications: Emergency surgery performed under crisis conditions carries an elevated risk of infection, organ injury, and extended recovery.
Stillbirth or Neonatal Death: In the most severe cases, a uterine rupture can be fatal to the baby.

Families affected by VBAC birth injuries must often undergo months or even years of costly medical treatments, therapy, and emotional strain. Additionally, the full scope of these injuries frequently does not become clear for some time after delivery, particularly with neurological conditions that only become apparent as children grow. No one should have to shoulder these burdens alone. Successful medical malpractice lawsuits can provide affected families with the financial resources and accountability they need to heal and move forward.

How a VBAC Uterine Rupture Attorney Can Help

The VBAC uterine rupture lawyers at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. begin medical malpractice cases by gathering and reviewing complete medical records, including prenatal charts, labor and delivery notes, fetal monitoring strips, and hospital protocols. This review helps us determine whether medical teams properly screened for TOLAC candidacy and whether staff recognized and responded to warning signs in a timely manner.

Our attorneys then consult with medical experts who can evaluate the standard of care and offer testimony regarding what a reasonably competent obstetric team should have done under similar circumstances. We identify every party who may bear responsibility, which can include the treating obstetrician, labor and delivery nurses, the hospital, and, in some cases, outside consulting physicians. We also calculate the full financial impact of the injury, including past and future medical treatment costs, therapy expenses, and income losses.

Throughout the claims process, our team handles all communication with insurance companies and opposing counsel, so families can focus on their children’s care and their own recoveries. And whenever negotiation does not result in a fair payout, our trial-ready litigators prepare cases for court without hesitation and pursue full accountability before judges and juries. Our firm has secured more than 400 verdicts and settlements of $1 million dollars or more, and we bring the same level of preparation and resolve to every VBAC uterine rupture lawsuit we handle.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a VBAC Uterine Rupture?

Families affected by preventable VBAC uterine rupture may pursue monetary compensation for a wide range of personal and financial losses connected to the malpractice, which may include:

Medical Expenses: Costs associated with emergency surgery, neonatal intensive care, ongoing therapy, medical devices, past medical bills, and future medical treatment
Lost Income: Any wages lost by parents who had to take extended leave from work to care for an injured child or to recover from maternal complications
Pain and Suffering: The physical pain and emotional distress suffered by mother, child, or both
Loss of Future Earning Capacity: Loss of the long-term ability to work and support oneself
Cost of Long-Term Care: The costs of specialized equipment, in-home assistance, or residential care for a child with permanent disabilities
Wrongful Death Compensation: Personal and financial losses that stem from the wrongful death of a child or a mother because of a uterine rupture

The precise value of your family’s claim will depend on factors like the severity of the injury, the long-term prognosis, and the degree to which negligence may have contributed to the outcome. A member of our legal team can review the specific circumstances of your case and provide a realistic assessment of the compensation that may be available to you.

How Much Does a VBAC Uterine Rupture Lawyer Cost?

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. represents VBAC uterine rupture clients on a contingency fee basis. This means families pay no upfront costs to retain our law firm and do not owe any attorney fees unless and until we obtain compensation on a family’s behalf. This arrangement allows families to pursue accountability without unnecessary financial strain during an already difficult time.

Our attorneys conduct free consultations and case evaluations at no charge. Any family interested in retaining a VBAC malpractice lawyer can contact our firm to discuss the full details of our fee arrangements in a free initial consultation, with no obligation to move forward.

Why Choose Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. for Your VBAC Uterine Rupture Case?

For more than 40 years, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has represented Illinois families harmed by medical negligence, including birth injuries connected to VBAC and uterine rupture. Our firm has recovered more than $3.5 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients, a total that includes the largest jury verdict ever awarded to an individual plaintiff in Illinois state history. This record reflects our decades of trial experience and refusal to accept a settlement offer that is less than our clients deserve.

Our team includes more than 20 accomplished trial attorneys and over 35 support staff members, along with a legal nurse consultant who assists in evaluating the medical details of birth injury claims. This diverse group brings the resources and skills necessary to fight aggressively for the rights of the families we represent. Throughout our history, we have secured more than 400 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more.

Every birth injury case presents a unique set of medical facts and personal circumstances, and our attorneys take the time to develop each case strategy individually rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. We also prepare every case as though it will proceed to trial to put our clients in the strongest possible position, whether their cases are resolved through negotiation or in court.

Contact a VBAC Uterine Rupture Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation

If your family suspects that medical negligence may have contributed to a uterine rupture during a VBAC attempt, the attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. are prepared to review your case and help you explore your legal options. Illinois medical malpractice laws place strict time limits on these types of claims, so prompt action is essential to preserving your right to pursue maximum compensation.

Contact our firm today to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with our VBAC uterine rupture lawyers. Our attorneys will listen to your story, review your medical records, and provide the honest guidance you need. We are happy to meet with you at our offices or in your home, depending on what is most convenient for you during this difficult time. Reach out today and let our experienced legal team stand beside you as you seek the accountability and compensation your family deserves.