A Birth Defect Lawyer Can Help Your Family Achieve Justice

Birth defects can have a dramatic impact on your family. If a medical professional made malpractice during your pregnancy, resulting in your child's condition you should take action immediately.

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

Causes of Birth Defects

The causes of birth defects aren't always obvious. Some birth problems are caused by genetic disorders. Genes that aren't functioning properly or are completely missing (like Turner Syndrome and Down Syndrome) can cause these. They may also be caused by problems with chromosomes, in which one or more chromosomes are more or too few cells.

These issues are typically diagnosed during utero via ultrasound or amniocentesis. A amniotic fluid sample is collected and tested to find chromosomal abnormalities and genetic changes. In some cases doctors do not find the birth defect before a child has 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 nervous system, brain and musculoskeletal issues that impact the joints, muscles, and bones. They can range from mild to severe, and impact how a person behaves or looks, as well as physical strength, learning abilities and mobility.

While some birth defects cannot be prevented, some are. Couples who have an inheritance history of certain disorders should consider genetic testing prior to trying to have children. In addition avoidance of certain chemicals, drugs, infections and other environmental factors can reduce the chance of developing certain birth defects. Medical malpractice or negligence in the care of a woman who is pregnant can cause birth defects, therefore it's important to talk to an attorney for birth defects if you believe an error in your medical treatment could have contributed to the child's condition.

Medical Malpractice

Medical negligence lawsuits involving birth defects are usually complex and require expert medical evidence. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer will assist your family to get justice and receive the compensation you need to ensure that your child can lead a normal life.

Your attorney will first identify the birth defect that your child has and connect it to the medical professionals who were involved in its delivery. Your attorney will also need to be aware of the date the date that the birth defect of your child was identified. This information is important because it will let you know the time frame you must make a claim before the statute of limitations expires.

Your attorney should also have access to any documents you have relating to the birth defect of your child. These documents include receipts, bills and credit card payments. This information will enable your attorney to prove the severity of the injuries your child suffered and determine the amount of compensation you are entitled.

Birth defects can be caused through a variety of factors like genetic conditions and medications, or exposure to infections and illnesses. However, the vast majority of birth defects aren't caused by medical malpractice or other kind of negligence. Medical malpractice claims are only valid if a doctor is negligent in their obligation to care, and this negligence results in a birth injury.

Drugs

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

These conditions are typically due to the mother's lifestyle or genetics. However, in other instances, medical negligence may be responsible for the child's condition. An experienced Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can assist parents identify the cause of their child's illness and take legal actions.

Drugs can cause serious birth defects in the foetus. These are known as teratogens and include both prescription drugs and street drugs. Thalidomide is an example. It was once a commonly used sleep aid and anti-nausea medication for pregnant women, but it was later discovered to be one of the most devastating drug-related birth defects in the history of medicine. It led to limb reduction defects and other physical and mental impairments.

Doctors are required to take into account the potential dangers of certain medications when prescribing them to pregnant women. They commit malpractice if they fail to do this. In addition, pharmaceutical companies and pharmacists have the responsibility of educating women of the dangers of taking their medications.

Toxic Exposure

Although many birth defects are the result of an unfortunate genetic condition that cannot be prevented, some of them are caused by exposure to toxic chemicals while in the uterus. These chemicals are often present in the medicines a pregnant woman takes as well as in the environmental pollutants in the home or at work or in harmful chemicals in a workplace. These chemicals are referred to as teratogens and have the potential to cause severe birth defects, such as spina bifida and developmental delays, skeletal deformities and brain damage, muscular dystrophy as well as low birth weight deformities of the limbs, and heart problems.

Certain toxins, such as arsenic and cadmium are found in drinking water as well as soil. Lead is a frequent contaminant that can be found in the walls of your home, paint, art materials, plastics, cosmetics, and other products. Other toxins include pharmaceuticals such as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which have been found to increase the risk of birth defects.

A lawyer with expertise in birth defect cases can help parents determine if a particular drug or chemical caused the birth injury to their child. In these instances, our lawyers can pursue a product liability claim against the drug or chemical manufacturer that developed and manufactured the dangerous medication. We can also bring a lawsuit against doctors who prescribe drugs that are known to cause adverse side effects for pregnant women.