A Birth Defect Lawyer Can Help Your Family Achieve Justice

Birth defects can have a profound impact on your family. It is imperative to act swiftly in the event that a medical professional committed a mistake during your pregnancy, which resulted in your child's illness.

A birth injury lawyer with experience can help you bring a claim against the responsible parties. In the meantime, begin gathering bills, receipts and credit card statements.

Causes of Birth Defects

Birth defects can have many causes. However, some are due to genetic issues, in which genes don't work properly or are completely absent (like Turner syndrome and Down syndrome). They can also result from chromosomal problems, where some or all of the chromosomes have more or too few cells.

These issues are usually identified in utero through ultrasound or amniocentesis. A sample of amniotic fluid is collected and tested to find genetic abnormalities and chromosomal changes. In some cases, however, doctors won't be able to identify the birth defect until a child is born or shows symptoms, like having an extra finger, cleft lip, or club foot.

Apart from chromosomal and genetic issues birth defects can be caused by problems with the nervous system or brain as well as musculoskeletal disorders which affect bones, muscles and joints. They can range from mild to severe, and impact how a person appears or performs, such as physical strength, ability to learn and mobility.

Certain birth defects are inevitable but some are preventable. Couples with a history of certain genetic disorders should think about genetic testing prior to trying to have children. 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 treatment of a woman who is pregnant can also contribute to birth defects, therefore it's essential to consult a birth defect lawyer when you suspect that a medical mistake could have contributed to the condition of your child.

Medical Malpractice

Birth defects cases that involve medical negligence can be a bit complicated and require expert testimony. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and skilled will help you and your family get the amount of compensation you need to ensure your child's regular life.

To determine if you have a medical malpractice case, your attorney will start by identifying your child's birth defect before linking it to the medical professionals who were involved in the child's birth. He or she will also need to identify the time when the birth defect was first identified. This information is crucial because it will let you know the time you have until the statute of limitations expires and you can file your claim.

It is also crucial that your attorney has access to your medical records and any other documents that you have that relate to the birth defect of your child for example, receipts, bills and credit card transactions. This evidence will assist your attorney in proving the severity of your child's injuries as well as determine the type of compensation you are entitled to receive.

Birth defects can be caused by a myriad of factors like genetic conditions medications or chemicals or exposure to illnesses and infections. However, the majority of birth defects aren't caused by medical malpractice or other kind of negligence. Medical malpractice claims are only valid when a doctor does not fulfill his or her duty of care and this failure causes birth injury.

Drugs

Birth defects are abnormalities that appear in a baby's body when it is born or during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explain that these birth defects can affect any part of the body and vary from mild to life-threatening.

Often, these issues are the result of genetics or the mother's lifestyle. However, in some cases medical negligence could be the cause of the child's condition. A skilled Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can assist parents determine the cause of their child's condition and take legal action.

The use of drugs can cause grave birth defects in the fetus. These substances are known as Teratogens, and they include prescription drugs and illicit street drugs. Thalidomide is one example. It was a time when it was a popular sleep aid and anti-nausea medication during pregnancy, but proved to be one of the most devastating birth defects resulting from drugs in the history of medicine. It led to limb reduction defects as well as mental and physical impairments.

Doctors are required by law to consider the risks of certain medications they prescribe to pregnant women. If they fail to do this, they commit malpractice. In addition, pharmaceutical companies and pharmacists have an obligation to warn women about the risk that comes with taking their product.

Toxic Exposure

Although many birth defects are the result of a genetic condition that cannot be prevented, a few of them result from exposure to toxic chemicals in utero. These substances can be present in the medicines a pregnant woman takes or in environmental pollutants at the workplace or at home as well as in toxic chemicals in a workplace. These chemicals are referred to as teratogens. They are known to can cause severe birth defects, including spina Bifida, developmental delays and skeletal abnormalities and brain damage, muscular dystrophy and low birth defect lawyers weight, deformities of the limbs, and heart issues.

Certain toxins, such as arsenic or cadmium may be present in drinking water and soil. Lead is a common contamination that can be found in paints for homes as well as art materials plastics, cosmetics, and other materials. Other toxins include pharmaceuticals, like selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs), that have been proven to cause an increase in birth defects.

A lawyer with expertise in birth defect cases can help parents determine if a substance or chemical caused their child's birth injury. In these instances, our lawyers can bring a product-liability claim against the chemical or drug manufacturer who designed and produced a dangerous drug. We can also bring a lawsuit against doctors who prescribe drugs known to cause adverse side effects for pregnant women.