A Birth Defect Lawyer Can Help Your Family Achieve Justice

A child's birth defect can drastically alter the life of your family. If a doctor committed malpractice during your pregnancy, which led to your child's condition it is imperative to take action immediately.

A birth injury lawyer with experience can help you bring an action against the responsible parties. In the meantime, begin collecting receipts, bills, and credit card statements.

Birth Defects and Causes

Birth defects can have many causes. Some birth problems result from genetic problems. Genes that aren't working properly or are absent completely (like Turner Syndrome and Down Syndrome) can cause these. They may also be caused by chromosomal issues where one or several chromosomes are too many or have too few cells.

These types of problems are usually diagnosed in utero with ultrasound or amniocentesis, where amniotic fluid from the uterus is taken and analyzed for chromosomal mutations and genetic abnormalities. In some instances doctors, however, don't detect the birth defect until a baby is born or displays symptoms, for example, having an extra finger, cleft lip, or club foot.

Apart from chromosomal and genetic issues, birth defects can be caused by issues with the brain or nervous system and musculoskeletal issues which affect joints, muscles, and bones. They can range from moderate to severe and affect how a person behaves or looks, as well as physical strength, ability to learn and mobility.

Some birth defects are unavoidable, but others can be prevented. Couples with the history of certain genetic disorders should consider testing for genetics before attempting to have a child. Avoiding exposure to certain drugs and chemicals, as well as infections and other environmental triggers, can also reduce the risk of birth defects. Medical errors and negligence in treatment of pregnant women could also cause birth defects. It is imperative to consult a birth defect attorney when you suspect that an error in your medical treatment has caused your child's condition.

Medical Malpractice

Birth defects cases involving medical negligence are often complex and require expert testimony. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable will assist you and your family receive the compensation needed to ensure your child's normal life.

To determine whether you're in a medical malpractice claim the attorney will begin by carefully identifying your child's birth defect and connecting it to the medical professionals involved in his or her delivery. Your attorney will also need to know when the birth defect of your child was discovered. This is important since it will help you determine the time frame you must file a claim before the statute of limitations expires.

Your attorney should be able to access any documents that you may have concerning the birth defect of your child, such as receipts, bills, and credit card transactions. This evidence can help your attorney establish the extent of your child's injuries as well as determine what types of compensation you are entitled to.

Birth defects can be caused by a variety of causes, including genetic conditions and medications, or birth defect exposure to illnesses and infections. The majority of birth defects are not caused by medical malpractice or negligence. A medical malpractice claim is only valid when a medical professional is negligent in their duty of care and this failure results in a birth injury.

Drugs

A birth defect is a malformed growth in one area of the baby's body that occurs at birth or is developed during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that these conditions can affect any part of the body and vary from mild to life-threatening.

These conditions are typically the result of the mother's lifestyle or genetics. However, in other instances medical negligence could be responsible for the child's condition. A Hyattsville birth defects lawyer can help parents identify the cause of their child's illness, and take legal action.

Drugs could cause serious birth defects in the foetus. These are known as teratogens. They encompass prescription drugs and illegal street drugs. Thalidomide was once extensively used as a sleep aid and anti-nausea medication for pregnant women but it was found to cause some of the most severe birth defects ever recorded. It caused limb reduction defects as well as other mental and physical impairments.

Doctors have a professional duty to consider the risks of certain medication they prescribe to pregnant women. They commit malpractice when they fail to do this. Furthermore, pharmaceutical companies and pharmacists are held to the obligation to inform women of the risks of taking their medications.

Toxic Exposure

While many birth defects are a result of an unfortunate genetic disorder that could not be prevented, some of them result from exposure to toxic chemicals in utero. These substances can be present in the medicines a pregnant woman takes or in environmental pollutants at the home or at work, or even in toxic chemical agents in a workplace. These chemicals are known as teratogens and are able to cause serious birth defects including spina bifida, developmental delays and skeletal abnormalities, brain damage, muscular dystrophy, low birth defect lawsuit weight, deformities in the limbs, as well as heart problems.

Certain toxins, like arsenic, cadmium and arsenic, are found in soil and drinking water. Lead is a frequent contamination that can be present in household paint artwork materials plastics, cosmetics, and even plastics. Other toxic substances include pharmaceuticals like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), that have been found to increase birth defects.

A lawyer that specializes in birth defects can assist parents determine whether a drug or chemical caused their child's birth injury. In these cases our lawyers can bring a product-liability claim against the chemical or drug manufacturer that developed and manufactured dangerous medications. We can also make a claim to sue doctors who prescribe drugs believed to cause adverse side effects for pregnant women.