Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Legal Team

The discovery that your child has an abnormal birth defect is one of the most terrifying and confusing experiences you'll ever be faced with. It's crucial to reach out to an experienced legal team as soon as you can.

A lawyer can explain the causes of a birth defect as well as how to file a lawsuit to claim damages for your child.

Causes of Birth Defects

Birth defects are structural changes in the body that affect how it looks or functions. They can happen at any time during pregnancy, but the majority occur within the first three months. Some are visible, whereas others are only detected by a doctor. They can range in severity from mild to severe.

Genetic problems are the cause of the majority of birth defects. They occur when a gene is altered (mutates) or disappears completely. Most genes are passed from parents to children, but some come from the environment. The environmental factors include smoking, drinking during pregnancy or taking certain medications. Exposure to harmful chemical substances can increase the risk of a birth defect.

There is no cure for the majority of birth defects, however there are treatments available to aid with certain problems. Some of these treatments include surgery medicines, and home care that is specifically tailored to the patient. Surgery can fix birth defects, including Cleft lips and palates, and spina-bifida. Medical treatments can be used to treat other problems, lawsuit like Tay-Sachs as well as patent ductus.

Women who drink alcohol or smoke during pregnancy are at greater risk chance of having a child with birth defect. Women with an ancestral history of birth defect are at a higher risk of having a child with a birth defect as well. It is important to discuss with your doctor the possibility of having a child who has a westbrook birth defect attorney defect.

Medical Malpractice

In many instances birth defects result from medical negligence during pregnancy or the birth. A New York beverly birth defect lawsuit defects lawyer can assist parents in filing a malpractice lawsuit against the medical doctor or other professionals that caused the child's condition.

A doctor may have negligently prescribed medication to the mother that increased the risk of the baby developing a specific defect. If the child suffers from a serious mental disorder due to the medication, they can be eligible for government disability benefits to help with their needs.

The medical professional or hospital also may not have detected an identifiable birth defect in the mother during the fetal screening. If the doctor failed to perform testing or did not discuss the results with parents, they could be held liable for untrue claims.

Medical facilities, health professionals and midwives are required provide and share medical records relating to birth defects. The information is utilized for surveillance of birth defects actions and to determine trends, clusters and possible causes. This information should not be disclosed to other individuals or the general public unless it is permitted by applicable laws, regulations or HIPAA. These regulations can differ by the state of. The information is only used for purposes that are approved by the department of health for the state. Every employee involved in the program to monitor birth defects must sign a confidentiality agreement and undergo instruction on how to handle confidential information.

Prescription Drugs

The risk of certain birth defects can easily be detected prior to the birth of a child by prenatal ultrasounds, blood tests and amniocentesis (obtaining a sample of amniotic fluid from the fetus). These more detailed screening methods are offered to women with higher-risk pregnancy due to an antecedent history with the mother or her advancing age.

Many over-the-counter and prescription drugs can cause serious side effects when taken by women who are pregnant. The pharmaceutical companies and those who prescribe these medications have the obligation to inform doctors of the dangers, and when they fail to comply, they could be held liable for resulting birth injuries.

Hospital, medical and pharmaceutical costs can add quickly because of birth defects, particularly severe ones that require lifelong treatment and care. It is crucial to keep track of any and all receipts, bills or credit card transaction records, and other documentation regarding your losses and rights to compensation.

Some birth defects can be corrected via surgery. Some birth defects are permanent and may affect the affected person for their entire lives that can result in severe disabilities and limitations. A birth defect lawyer who is experienced and compassionate can help families receive the compensation they deserve. If you suspect your child was born with an anomaly in the birth, it's important to make a claim before the statute of limitations expires.

Environmental Exposure

Birth defects can be caused by various environmental causes. These can range from prescription or over the counter drugs as well as exposure to chemicals in the workplace or at home. Sometimes, the cause is difficult to identify. When too many babies are born with the same defect in a specific time period or location, it is called a "cluster".

If there is any reason to believe that an injury or birth defect resulted from medical malpractice and a medical malpractice lawyer should be sought out. A knowledgeable and sympathetic medical malpractice lawyer can help families receive the compensation they are entitled to so that their child's birth defect or birth injury does not have lifelong negative effects.

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

This information may also be collected through other programs, for instance: