Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Legal Team

It can be an incredibly frightening and confusing moment to discover that your child is born with a birth deformity. Contacting a legal team for birth defects with experience is important immediately.

A lawyer can inform you the reasons for birth defects, and how to file a suit in order to seek damages on behalf your child.

Causes of Birth Defects

Birth defects are structural changes that alter the way the body appears or functions. They can happen at any point during pregnancy, however the majority occur in the first 3 months. Some are obvious, while others can be detected only by a health professional. They can be severe or mild from mild to severe.

Genetic abnormalities are responsible for the majority of birth problems. These occur when a gene changes (mutates) or disappears completely. Some genes are inherited from parents, whereas others are acquired from the environment. Environment-related factors include drinking alcohol, smoking or taking certain medications during pregnancy. Exposure to harmful chemical substances can also increase the risk of developing a birth defect.

There is no cure for the majority of birth defects, but there are treatments available to aid with certain problems. They can include surgery medications and home care. Certain birth defects, such as cleft lip and palate and spina bifida, are repaired through surgery. The use of medicines can treat other problems, like Tay-Sachs or patent ductus artery.

Women who consume alcohol, smoke or both during pregnancy are at a higher risk of having babies with birth defects. Women who have a history birth defects in their families are also at risk. It is important to discuss with your physician the possibility of having a child born with a birth deformity.

Medical Malpractice

In many cases birth defects result from medical negligence during pregnancy or during delivery. A New York birth defects lawyer can assist parents in filing a malpractice lawsuit against the doctor or other medical experts who caused the child's condition.

A doctor may have mistakenly prescribed medication during pregnancy to the mother, which increased the chance of the child developing a specific defect. If the child suffers from a severe mental impairment due to the medication, they may receive government benefits to help those with disabilities.

A medical professional or hospital could also have failed to detect an birth defect that was present in the mother when screening for fetal defects was carried out. If the doctor failed to carry out the tests or discuss the results with parents, he may be held liable for untrue claims.

Medical facilities, health professionals and midwives are required divulge and release medical records relating to birth defects. The information is used for birth defects surveillance actions and to determine trends, clusters, and possible causes. The information cannot be shared with other individuals or the general public unless it is authorized by the applicable laws, regulations and HIPAA. These regulations could differ based on the jurisdiction. The information is only used for authorized purposes by the department of the state. In addition the employees involved in birth defects surveillance must sign a confidentiality agreement and be educated on how to handle confidential information.

Prescription Drugs

The risk of certain birth defects can be identified prior to the birth of a child by prenatal ultrasounds, amniocentesis and blood tests (obtaining the sample of fetal amniotic fluid). These more thorough screening options are available to women who are at a higher risk of pregnancy due to an antecedent history with the mother or her mother's age.

A number of over-the-counter and prescription drugs can cause serious adverse effects when used by pregnant women. The pharmaceutical manufacturers and those who prescribe these drugs are required to inform doctors about the risks. If they fail to comply with this they could be held accountable for birth injuries.

Medical, hospital and pharmaceutical costs can add quickly as a result of birth defects, particularly severe ones that require lifelong treatment and care. It is important to collect all receipts, bills as well as credit card statements, and other evidence that proves your injuries and rights to compensation.

Most birth defects are diagnosed prior to the birth of the baby or shortly after and can be fixed with surgery. Some birth defects are permanent and can affect the affected person for the rest of their life that can result in significant disabilities and limitations. A birth defect lawyer who is knowledgeable and sympathetic can help families get the compensation they deserve. You should make a claim as soon when you suspect your child has an abnormal birth.

Environmental Exposure

There are a myriad of environmental causes of birth defects. They can be caused by prescription or over-the-counter medications and exposure to chemicals at workplace or at home. The causes of these can be difficult to identify. However, when a large number of babies with the same defect are born during an exact time frame and location, this is known as a birth defects "cluster".

If there is any doubt that the birth injury or defect was caused by medical malpractice or negligence, a medical malpractice lawyer should be consulted. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can assist families obtain the benefits they are entitled to, so that the birth defect or birth injury will not be a permanent negative impact.

Many states have laws requiring the recording of birth defects. This includes the recording of data from hospital discharge records. The information can be used to identify patterns and anomalies.

This information can also be collected through other programs, like: