A Birth Defect Lawyer Can Help Your Family Achieve Justice

A birth defect in a child can dramatically alter your family's life. If a medical professional has committed negligence during your pregnancy, that led to the condition of your child you must respond quickly.

A lawyer who has experience can assist you in bringing an action against the responsible parties. In the meantime, start collecting receipts, bills, and statements from credit cards.

Birth Defects and Causes

Birth defects can have many causes. Some are caused by genetic issues, in which genes aren't working properly or aren't functioning properly (like Turner syndrome and Down syndrome). They can also result from chromosomal problems, where one or more chromosomes are extra or too few cells.

These issues are usually identified in utero using ultrasound or amniocentesis. A sample of amniotic liquid from the uterus is collected and tested to find genetic and chromosomal variations. In some cases doctors, however, don't be able to identify the birth defect until the baby is born or displays symptoms, such as an extra finger, cleft lip or club foot.

Aside from genetic and chromosomal issues birth defects can also be caused by issues with the brain or nervous system as well as musculoskeletal disorders which affect joints, muscles and bones. They can range from moderate to severe and impact how a person looks or functions, firms including physical strength, learning capabilities and mobility.

While some birth defects cannot be avoided, a few are. Couples who have a history of certain genetic disorders should think about genetic testing before trying to have a child. Avoiding exposure to certain substances and chemicals along with infections and other environmental factors, can also reduce the chance of developing birth defects. Medical malpractice or negligence in the care of a pregnant woman could cause birth defects, so it's essential to consult an attorney for birth defects when you suspect that an error in medical care could have contributed to the child's condition.

Medical Malpractice

Birth defects cases involving medical negligence are typically complex and require expert testimony. A compassionate and skilled medical malpractice lawyer will assist your family to get justice and secure the compensation you need to ensure that your child is able to live a normal life.

Your lawyer will identify the birth defect of your child and link it with the medical professionals involved in the birth. He or she will also need to identify the date when the birth defect was discovered. This information is crucial since it will tell you the time you have until the statute of limitations expires to file your claim.

It is also crucial for your attorney to have access to your medical records as well as any other documents you have that relate to your child's birth defect, including bills, receipts and credit card transactions. This will help your attorney prove the extent of your child's injuries and determine what compensation you are entitled to.

Birth defects can be triggered in many ways, such as medical conditions or genetics exposure to illnesses and infections, as well as exposure to drugs or chemicals. The vast majority of birth defects are not the result of medical malpractice or negligence. Medical malpractice claims are only valid when a medical professional is not performing his duty to care and this failure results in a birth injury.

Drugs

Birth defects are abnormalities that develop in a baby’s body after birth or during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control explains that these birth defects can affect any part of the baby's body and be mild or life risky.

These ailments are usually the result of the mother's lifestyle or genetics. In certain cases medical malpractice may be the cause of the child's illness. An experienced Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can assist parents discover the root of their child's illness and take legal action.

The use of drugs can cause serious birth defects in the fetus. These substances, also referred to as teratogens, include both prescription drugs as well as illegal street drugs. Thalidomide is one example. It was once a widely used sleep aid and anti-nausea medication during pregnancy, but proved to be one of the most devastating birth defects caused by drugs in the history of medicine. It caused limb reduction problems along with other mental and physical impairments.

Doctors are required to take into account the potential dangers of certain drugs when prescribing them to pregnant women. If they fail to do this they are guilty of malpractice. Pharmacies and pharmaceutical firms have a duty to warn women about the risks of taking their products.

Toxic Exposure

While many birth defects are the result of a genetic disorder that could not have been prevented, some of them are caused by exposure to toxic chemicals in the uterus. These chemicals may be present in the medicines pregnant mothers are prescribed as well as in environmental contaminants at home or work or in toxic chemical agents at a workplace. These chemicals are known as teratogens. They are known to are able to cause serious birth defects, including spina bifida, development delays as well as skeletal deformities and brain damage, muscular dystrophy and low birth defect lawyers weight, deformities in the limbs, as well as heart issues.

Certain toxins like arsenic, cadmium, and arsenic can be found in drinking water as well as soil. Lead is a common contamination that is found on painting supplies, home paint and plastics, as well as cosmetics, and many other products. Other toxins include pharmaceuticals, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that have been proven to cause an increase in 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 can file a product liability claim against the chemical or drug manufacturer who designed and produced a dangerous medication. We can also make a claim to sue doctors who prescribe drugs that are known to cause adverse side effects for pregnant women.