Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Legal Team

Finding out that your child has a birth defect is among the most frightening and confusing experiences you can endure. Contacting a legal team for birth defects with experience is vital in the earliest time possible.

A lawyer can explain to you the causes of birth defects and the best way to file a suit to claim damages on behalf of your child.

Causes of Birth Defects

Birth defects are structural changes which affect the way that the body looks and functions. They can occur at any stage of pregnancy, but most occur in the first 3 months. Some are visible, whereas others can only be identified by a health care provider. They can vary in severity from mild to severe.

Genetic disorders are the cause of most birth defects. They happen when a particular gene alters (mutates) or disappears altogether. Some genes are inherited from parents, whereas others come from the environment. The environmental factors include smoking, drinking during pregnancy, or Birth Defects taking certain medications. Exposure to harmful chemicals can also increase the risk of developing a birth defect.

There is no cure for most birth defects, however there are treatments that can help with some problems. Some of these treatments include surgery medicine, and special home care. Some birth defects, like the cleft lip and palate as well as spina bifida can be fixed by surgery. Other issues, such Tay-Sachs disease, can be treated with medication.

Women who drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or both during pregnancy have an increased risk of having children with birth defects. Women who have a history of birth defects in their family are also at greater risk. It is crucial to discuss with your physician the possibility of having a child born with a birth defect.

Medical Malpractice

In many instances birth defects result from medical negligence during pregnancy or birth. A New York birth defects lawyer can help parents file an action for malpractice against the medical doctor or other professionals responsible for the child's condition.

A doctor may have mistakenly prescribed medication during pregnancy to the mother that increased the chances of the baby being born with a particular defect. If the child is suffering from an extreme mental impairment due to that medication, the child could be eligible for government disability benefits to help meet their needs.

The medical professional or hospital could have failed to detect an identifiable birth defect in the mother during fetal screening. If the doctor was unable to do the test or discuss the results with parents, he may be held liable for wrongful claims.

Medical facilities, health professionals and midwives are required to reveal and report medical records related to birth defects. The information is used for birth defects surveillance actions and to determine patterns, clusters and possible causes. This information is not to be released to anyone else or the public unless it is allowed by the applicable laws, regulations and HIPAA. These regulations may differ based on the jurisdiction. The information is only used for approved purposes by the department of the state. In addition the employees involved in birth defects surveillance must sign a confidentiality agreement and be educated on the appropriate handling of confidential information.

Prescription Drugs

The possibility of birth defects can be detected prior to the birth of a child by prenatal ultrasounds, blood tests and amniocentesis (obtaining a sample of fetal amniotic fluid). These more precise screening options are available to women at higher risk of becoming pregnant due to an antecedent history with the mother or her mother's age.

A number of over-the-counter and prescription medicines can cause serious side effects when taken by women who are pregnant. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and those who prescribe these medications have the obligation to inform doctors of the potential risks and if they fail to take this step, they may be held accountable for birth injuries.

Medical, hospital and pharmaceutical bills can add quickly as a result of birth defects, particularly severe ones that require lifelong treatment and care. It is crucial to keep track of any and all bills, receipts as well as credit card payment records, and other documentation regarding your losses and rights to compensation.

Most birth defects are diagnosed when the baby is born or shortly after and can be corrected through surgery. Some birth defects are permanent and Birth Defects can affect the affected person for the rest of their lives leading to significant limitations and disabilities. A knowledgeable, sympathetic birth defect lawyer can assist families get the compensation they deserve. If you suspect your child was born with an anomaly in the birth, it's important to file a claim before the statute of limitations expires.

Environmental Exposure

There are numerous environmental causes of birth defects. They can be caused by prescription or over-the-counter drugs in addition to chemical exposure at workplace or at home. Sometimes, these causes are difficult to identify. If a large number of children with the same defect are born during an exact time frame and location, this is known as a birth defects "cluster".

A medical malpractice attorney should be consulted when there is a suspected cause of a birth defect or birth injury. A knowledgeable and sympathetic medical malpractice lawyer can assist families attain the compensation they are entitled to so that the birth defect or birth injury won't be a permanent negative impact.

A number of states have laws that require the monitoring of birth defects. This includes the capture of information from hospital discharge records. It can then be used to find trends, anomalies and possible clusters.

This information is able to be gathered and shared via various programs, such as: