Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Legal Team

The discovery that your child is suffering from a birth defect is one of the most frightening and confusing situations you could face. It's important to contact an experienced legal team as soon as you can.

A lawyer can explain the cause of a birth defect as well as how to file a lawsuit in order to get compensation for your child.

Causes of Birth Defects

Birth defects are structural problems that affect how the body looks and functions. They can occur anytime during pregnancy, however they tend to occur within the first three months. Some are visible, and others are only detected by a doctor. They can vary in severity from mild to severe.

Most birth defects are caused by genetic anomalies. They happen when a particular gene is altered (mutates) or is absent completely. Certain genes are passed down from parents, but other genes originate from the environment. The environmental factors include smoking, drinking during pregnancy, or taking certain medications. Exposure to harmful chemical substances can increase the risk for a birth defect.

There is no cure for all birth defects, however there are treatments available to aid with certain problems. These include surgery, medications and home care. Some birth defects, such as Cleft lip and palate, as well as spina bifida can be corrected with surgery. Medical treatments can be used to treat other ailments, such as Tay-Sachs and patent ductus artery.

Women who drink alcohol or smoke during pregnancy are at an increased chance of having a child with a birth defect. Women with a family history of a birth defect are at a higher risk of having a child with a birth defect as well. It is important to talk with a physician about your chance of having a baby with birth defect.

Medical Malpractice

In many instances, birth defects are caused by medical negligence during pregnancy or delivery. A New York birth defects lawyer can help parents file a malpractice lawsuit against the doctor or other medical experts who caused the child's condition.

A doctor may have negligently prescribed medication during pregnancy to the mother that increased the risk of the baby developing an inherited defect. If the child suffers from a mental disorder that is severe due to the medication, the child could be eligible for government disability benefits to help meet their requirements.

A medical professional or hospital could not have been able to spot an birth defect that was present in the mother's uterus when the fetal screening was conducted. If the doctor didn't conduct tests or discuss the results with parents, they could be liable for claims based on wrongful birth.

Health professionals, medical facilities and midwives are required report and disclose medical records related to birth defects. This information can be used to identify patterns and clusters, as well as possible causes. This information should not be divulged to any other individual or the public unless this is allowed by the applicable laws, regulations and HIPAA. These regulations may differ according to region. The information is only used for authorized purposes by the state department. All employees who are part of the birth defect surveillance program must also sign a confidentiality agreement and receive training on how to handle confidential information.

Prescription Drugs

The danger of certain birth defects can be identified prior to the birth of a baby through prenatal ultrasounds, amniocentesis or blood tests (obtaining an amniocentesis sample of the amniotic fluid of the fetus). These more specific screening options are available to women at higher risk of becoming pregnant due to the history of the mother or her advancing age.

Many prescription or over-thecounter medicines can cause serious side effects for pregnant women. The pharmaceutical manufacturers and those who prescribe these medications are required to warn doctors of the risks. If they fail to do so they could be held accountable for birth injuries.

Medical, hospital and pharmaceutical expenses can pile quickly as a result of a birth defect, especially those that are severe and require ongoing treatment and care. It is crucial to keep all receipts as well as bills and credit card information, and other documentation that proves your injuries and rights to compensation.

Most birth defects are diagnosed before the baby is born or shortly thereafter and can be fixed with surgery. Others may remain permanent, affecting the affected person throughout their life, causing disabilities and limitations. A birth defect lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate can help families receive the compensation they deserve. You must start a claim as soon you discover that your child has an abnormal birth.

Environmental Exposure

There are many environmental causes of birth defects. They can be caused by prescription or over-the-counter drugs to chemical exposure in the workplace or in homes. Sometimes, the cause is difficult to identify. But when too many babies with the same defect are born within the same time frame and location, this is called a birth defect "cluster".

If there is any doubt that an injury to a child's birth or defect resulted from medical malpractice and a medical malpractice lawyer should be sought out. A knowledgeable and empathetic medical malpractice lawyer can help families attain the compensation they are entitled to so that the birth defect lawyers defect or birth injury won't have lifelong negative effects.

Many states have laws that require the recording of birth defects. This includes the collection of data from the hospital discharge records. The information can be used to find anomalies and trends.

This information may be collected by other programs, including: