A Birth Defect Lawyer Can Help Your Family Achieve Justice

Birth problems can have a devastating impact on your family. You must act swiftly should a medical professional committed an error during your pregnancy that led to your child's condition.

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

Causes of Birth Defects

The causes of birth defects aren't always clear. However, some of them are due to genetic issues, where genes aren't working properly or are missing completely (like Turner syndrome and Down syndrome). They can also be the result of problems with chromosomes, in which one or more chromosomes are excessive or insufficient cells.

These types of problems are usually identified in utero by ultrasound or amniocentesis. In both cases, amniotic fluid samples is collected and tested for chromosomal changes and genetic abnormalities. In some instances doctors do not find the birth defect until the child develops symptoms such as an extra finger, cleft lips or club feet.

In addition to genetic and chromosomal issues, birth defects can be caused by issues with the brain or nervous system, and musculoskeletal issues that impact the joints, muscles and bones. They can range from moderate to severe and affect how a person is perceived or performs their duties, including learning abilities, physical strength and mobility.

While some birth defects cannot be prevented, some are. Couples who have the history of certain genetic diseases should consider testing their genetics prior to trying to have a child. In addition, avoiding exposure to certain chemicals, drugs, infections and other environmental factors can lower the chance of developing certain birth defects, Source Webpage,. Medical malpractice or negligence in the care of a pregnant woman could cause birth defects, therefore it's important to talk to an attorney for birth defects in the event that you believe that an error in medical care could have caused your child's condition.

Medical Malpractice

Medical negligence lawsuits involving birth defects are typically complex and require expert medical testimony. A knowledgeable and compassionate medical malpractice lawyer can help your family get justice and secure the money you need to ensure that your child can live a normal life.

Your attorney will first identify the birth defect lawsuit defect that your child has and then link it to the medical professionals who were involved in its birth. Your attorney will also need to be aware of the date the date at which the birth defect of your child was discovered. This is important since it will help you know how long you'll need to submit a claim prior to the statute of limitations runs out.

Your attorney should also have access to any documents that you may have regarding the birth defect of your child, including invoices, receipts and credit card payments. This evidence will assist your attorney in proving the extent of your child's injuries as well as determine what types of compensation you are entitled to.

Birth defects can be caused through a variety of factors that include genetic conditions and medications, or exposure to illnesses and infections. However, the vast majority of birth defects are not caused by medical malpractice or any other negligence. Medical malpractice claims are only valid when a medical professional is negligent in their duty of care and that failure causes birth injury.

Drugs

Birth defects are atypical conditions that can develop in a child's body at birth or during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explain that these birth defects can affect any body part and range from mild to life-threatening.

These conditions are usually the result of the mother's lifestyle or genetics. However, in some cases medical negligence could be the cause of the child's condition. A skilled Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can help parents determine the cause of their child's condition and take legal action.

The use of drugs can cause serious birth defects in the fetus. These substances, often referred to as teratogens, include both prescription drugs and illicit street drugs. Thalidomide for instance, was once a popular sleep aid and pregnancy anti-nausea medication but turned out to be one of the most devastating drug-related birth defects in the history of medicine. It caused limb defects, mental and physical impairments and other physical impairments.

Doctors are required to take into account the potential risks associated with certain drugs when prescribing them to pregnant women. They commit malpractice when they fail to consider this. Additionally, birth defects pharmaceutical pharmacies and companies have an obligation to warn 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, birth defects a few of them are caused by exposure to toxic chemicals in the uterus. These chemicals can be found in the medications a pregnant woman takes or in environmental pollutants at the home or at work, or even in toxic chemical agents at work. These chemicals are referred to as teratogens and can cause severe birth defects, such as spina bifida and developmental delays, skeletal deformities, brain damage, muscular dystrophy and low birth weight deformities of the limbs and heart problems.

Certain toxins, like arsenic and cadmium, are found in drinking water and soil. Lead is a common contamination that is found on home paint, art supplies plastics, cosmetics and many other products. Other toxins include pharmaceuticals such as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which have been shown to increase the risk of birth defects.

A lawyer who specializes on birth defects can help parents determine if a certain drug or chemical caused the birth injury of their child. In these instances, our lawyers may bring a product liability claim against a drug or chemical manufacturer who designed and produced a dangerous medication or chemical. We can also make a claim against doctors who prescribe medications that are identified to have harmful side effects for pregnant women.