Birth Defect Law

Birth defects and injuries are caused by a number of causes. In many cases, these problems are easily prevented.

Most often, they are caused by medical negligence during pregnancy. Chemical exposure is another cause. Workers in beauty salons and paint factories and cleaning operations for metal are at risk of developing these defects.

Causes

Birth defects are structural abnormalities that cause a problem in one or more areas. The severity of the defects can range from mild to life-threatening. About one in 33 babies are born with a birth defect each year.

If a baby is born with a birth defect it can be devastating for parents and family members. Some birth defects can be inherited by a parent's genetic make-up and others are caused by a variety of causes, including obstetrical issues and medication side effects, infections or toxins.

Birth defect lawyers and studies have found that a number of the causes of birth defects are due to environmental causes, including drugs that are not prescribed by physicians and toxic chemicals that are present in the workplace and at home, as well as toxic substances that can contaminate the environment. During the Vietnam War, mothers were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, which resulted in birth defects in children. Sadly, a majority of these birth defects could be avoided by taking the proper care.

Signs and symptoms

A birth defect can alter the way your body looks or works. It could be structural like a lip or palate cleft, or it could result from genetic changes. A chromosome extra is the reason for the Down syndrome. Certain drugs and environmental factors may contribute to this condition, as well.

Certain birth defects, like the cleft palate and lips, are very obvious, while others are more subtle. They can be a slow response to sound or the inability to reach developmental milestones, such as climbing up and sitting.

A birth injury may be the result of an anomaly in the birth process or birth defect lawyer it could happen during birth for example, a caput succedaneum (a swelling on a newborn's scalp due to pressure during a head-first birth). Sometimes, these injuries are difficult to discern, particularly when they manifest as a lower heart rate, low oxygen levels, or drooling.

Treatment

If your child has an anomaly in the birth, there are many treatment options to correct the issue. This includes surgery, medication as well as specialized therapy.

According to the CDC the CDC, birth defects can affect any part of the body and impact how that body part appears or functions. They can also impact the life span of your child.

Many health care specialists can treat a baby with a birth defect including pediatricians, family medicine doctors, and neonatologists. If your baby is suffering from a serious birth defect, like club foot, you may require an orthopedic or limb specialist surgeon.

You may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit if your doctor violated the duty of care you received during pregnancy and this breach resulted in your child's birth defects. Pharmaceutical companies and doctors who prescribe certain medications have a responsibility to warn women who are of childbearing age about the possibility of birth defects, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs are associated with many health issues, including birth defects.

Damages

Medical professionals must take all the necessary precautions to ensure that babies aren't suffering from birth defects and injuries. Parents may be legally entitled to compensation in the event that doctors fail to take the necessary precautions.

There are many types of damages, based on the severity of an birth defect or injury. An attorney can help decide which damages to be seeking.

The CDC each year reports that one in 33 babies is born with an issue. These defects can be anything from cleft lip to missing limbs, and can be serious and have long-lasting effects.

You must act swiftly to submit a claim if you suspect that your child suffers from a birth defect as a result of medical malpractice. The time limit for filing a claim will expire soon. A Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyer can help you. Legal consultations can also help you determine the value of your case.

Statute of limitations

You could be eligible to make a claim if your child is born with a defect, or an injury which could have been easily prevented by medical negligence. There are strict deadlines, known as statutes or limitations that you must adhere to in order to avoid your case being dismissed.

A birth defect is a condition which affects a newborn baby and can cause physical or mental impairments as well as death. These cases fall within different areas of law such as medical negligence, products liability and employment law. For instance, the drug Thalidomide caused fetal problems decades ago and led to class action lawsuits against its manufacturer.

Although birth defects are a nagging part of life, they're often avoidable. This is the reason medical malpractice claims against doctors are essential to protect patients.

Find an attorney

While modern technology and advances in medical technology have greatly reduced the risks associated with birth and pregnancy but some birth defects remain a possibility. Parents who are shocked to discover that their child was afflicted by an injury or defect that was caused by birth defect lawyer may be legally entitled to compensation.

According to the CDC birth defects can affect any aspect of the body of an infant and affect their appearance and function. Certain of these conditions are not apparent until the baby is born, or later in the course of. Many of these disorders may be due to medical malpractice.

A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can assist your family get the compensation you're owed. These injuries include emergency surgery as well as long-term care and treatment. They also cover medication as well as physical therapy and education costs.