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 medical professional committed error during your pregnancy resulting in your child's condition it is imperative to respond quickly.

An experienced birth injury lawyer can help you file an action against the responsible parties. In the meantime, you can 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 problems, where genes aren't working properly or are absent completely (like Turner syndrome and Down syndrome). They can also be caused by chromosomal problems, where chromosomes are overloaded or there are too few cells.

These kinds of issues are usually diagnosed in utero using ultrasound or amniocentesis. In both cases, amniotic fluid from the uterus is taken and analyzed for chromosomal and genetic anomalies. In some cases, however, doctors won't discover the birth defect until the baby is born or exhibits symptoms, such as an extra finger, cleft lip or club foot.

In addition to genetic and chromosomal issues, birth defects can be caused by problems with the nervous system, brain, and musculoskeletal issues that affect bones, muscles and joints. They can vary from mild to severe and affect a person's appearance or function, such as their ability to learn as well as their strength and mobility.

While some birth defects can't be prevented, many are. Couples with a history of certain genetic diseases should consider testing their genetics before attempting to have children. In addition being aware of the potential dangers of certain chemicals such as drugs, infections, and other environmental factors can reduce the risk of some birth defects. Medical negligence or malpractice in the treatment of a pregnant woman may cause birth defects. It's essential to consult an attorney for birth defects when you suspect that an error in medical care may have contributed to your child's condition.

Medical Malpractice

Medical negligence lawsuits that involve birth defects are typically complicated and require expert medical testimony. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help your family achieve justice and obtain the amount of compensation you require to ensure that your child will lead a normal life.

To determine whether you have a medical malpractice case the attorney will begin by identifying the child's birth defect before linking it to the medical professionals who were involved in the child's birth. The attorney will also have to determine the time when the birth defect was identified. This is important since it will help you determine how long you have to file a claim before the statute of limitations runs out.

It is also crucial for your attorney to have access to your medical records as well as any other documents that you possess that are connected to the birth defect that your child has for example, receipts, bills and credit card statements. This information will enable your attorney to demonstrate the extent of the injuries your child sustained and determine the amount of compensation you are entitled.

Birth defects can be caused by a variety of causes, including genetic conditions and medications, or exposure to infections and illnesses. However, the majority of birth defects are not caused by medical malpractice or other negligence. Only when a doctor does not fulfill his or their duty of care and this failure causes a birth injury will a medical malpractice lawsuit be justified.

Drugs

Birth defects are abnormalities that develop in a baby’s body during the birth process or during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explain that these birth defects can affect any body part and can be mild or even life-threatening.

Often, these conditions are a result of genetics or mother's lifestyle. However, in other instances medical negligence could be the cause of the child's condition. An experienced Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can assist parents determine the cause of their child's health issue and pursue legal action.

Drugs have the potential to cause grave birth defects in the fetus. These substances, also known as teratogens include prescription drugs and illegal street drugs. Thalidomide for instance, was once a commonly used sleep aid and anti-nausea medication during pregnancy, but was later discovered to be one of the most devastating drug-related birth defects in the history of medicine. It caused limb reduction problems as well as other mental and physical impairments.

Doctors are required by law to be aware of the risks associated with certain drugs they prescribe to pregnant women. If they fail to do this they may be guilty of malpractice. In addition, pharmaceutical pharmacies and companies have the obligation to inform women about the risk involved in taking their products.

Toxic Exposure

While many birth defects are the result of an unfortunate genetic disorder that could not have been prevented, a number of them result from exposure to toxic chemicals in the uterus. These chemicals may be present in the medications that a mother takes during pregnancy, in environmental contaminants at work or at home or in toxic chemical substances in workplaces. These chemicals are referred to as teratogens. They also have the potential to cause severe birth defects, including spina Bifida, developmental delays, skeletal deformities, brain damage, muscular dystrophy as well as low birth weight deformities in the limbs, as well as heart issues.

Certain toxic substances like arsenic and cadmium are found in drinking waters and soil. Lead is a typical contaminant that is present on painting supplies, home paint plastics, cosmetics and other products. Other toxins include pharmaceuticals such as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that have been shown to increase the risk of birth defects.

A lawyer who is specialized in birth defects can assist parents determine if a particular drug or chemical has caused their child's birth defect. In these instances, our lawyers may bring a product liability claim against a chemical or drug manufacturer who designed and produced dangerous chemical or medication. Or, we could make a claim against doctors who prescribe drugs that are recognized to have negative side effects on pregnant women.