Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Legal Team

It can be a scary and confusing experience to discover that your child is born with a birth defect. Contacting a legal team for birth defects with experience is important as soon as you can.

A lawyer can explain to you the reasons for birth defects and how you can file a lawsuit to claim damages on behalf of your child.

Causes of Birth Defects

Birth defects are structural issues that affect how the body looks or performs. They can occur anytime during pregnancy, but the majority occur during the first three months. Some are visible, whereas others are only detected by a medical professional. They can vary in severity from mild to severe.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetic abnormalities. They occur when a gene alters (mutates) or is not present completely. Some genes are inherited from parents, but other genes originate from the environment. Some environmental triggers include smoking, drinking during pregnancy or taking certain medications. Exposure to harmful chemicals could increase the risk of a birth defect.

There is no cure for most birth defects, but there are treatments that can aid with certain problems. These include surgery, medicines and special home care. Certain birth defects, such as the cleft lip and palate as well as spina bifida can be treated through surgery. Other problems, such as Tay-Sachs's disease, are treated with medicines.

Women who drink alcohol, birth defect lawyer smoke cigarettes or both during pregnancy are at the highest chance of having babies with birth defects. Women with a history of birth defects in their family are also more at risk. It is essential to discuss with your physician the possibility of having a child born with a birth defect.

Medical Malpractice

In many cases birth defects arise from medical negligence during pregnancy or the birth. A New York birth defect lawyer will assist parents in filing an action for malpractice against the doctor who caused the child's condition.

For instance, a doctor may have negligently prescribed medication to the mother during pregnancy that heightened the chances of the baby being born with a certain defect. If the child is suffering from a serious mental disorder due to the medication, the child may receive government disability benefits to assist with their needs.

The medical professional or hospital also might not have been able to spot an identified birth defect in the mother during the fetal screening. If the doctor failed to conduct a test or discuss the results with parents, he may be held responsible for wrongful claims.

Medical facilities, health professionals and midwives are required to divulge and release medical records related to birth defects. This information can be used for birth defects surveillance activities and to identify patterns, clusters and Birth defect Lawyer possible causes. The information cannot be divulged to any other individual or the public unless it is allowed by applicable laws, regulations or HIPAA. These regulations can differ by region. The information is only used for purposes that are approved by the department of health for the state. Additionally all employees involved in birth defects surveillance must sign a confidentiality agreement and receive training on the appropriate handling of confidential information.

Prescription Drugs

The danger of certain birth defects can be identified before a child is born by prenatal ultrasounds, amniocentesis or blood tests (obtaining a sample of amniotic fluid from the fetus). Women who have higher risk of pregnancies could be given more detailed screening options due to an ancestral history or advanced maternal age.

Many over-the counter and prescription medicines can cause serious adverse effects when used by pregnant women. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and those prescribing these medications are required to warn doctors of the risks. If they fail to do this, they may be held responsible for birth injuries.

Medical, hospital and pharmaceutical costs can add quickly because of a birth defect, especially severe ones that require continuous treatment and care. It is crucial to keep all receipts or bills, credit card records, and other documentation that proves your injuries and rights to compensation.

Most birth defects are diagnosed before the infant is born or shortly thereafter and can be corrected through surgery. Others may remain forever, affecting the person for the rest of his or her life and leading to severe disabilities and limitations. A skilled, compassionate birth defect lawyer can assist families receive the justice they deserve. You should start a claim as soon as you suspect that your child has a birth defect.

Environmental Exposure

There are a myriad of environmental causes of birth defects. These can include prescription or over-the-counter medications as well as chemical exposure at work or at home. The causes may be difficult to determine. However, when a large number of babies with the same defect are born during the same time and location, this is called a birth defect "cluster".

A medical malpractice attorney is recommended if there is suspicion of an anomaly in the birth or birth injury. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate can assist families in obtaining the money they deserve to ensure that their child’s birth defect attorney defect or injury doesn't result in permanent negative consequences.

A number of states have laws that require the tracking of birth defects. This involves the collection of information from the discharge record of a hospital. The information can be used to find anomalies and trends.

This data can be collected by other programs, like: