Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Legal Team

Discovering that your child has a birth defect is among the most terrifying and confusing experiences you'll ever endure. Contacting a legal team for birth defects who has experience is crucial to do so as soon as you can.

A lawyer can provide the reasons of a birth defect and how to file a lawsuit in order to get compensation for your child.

Birth Defects and Causes

Birth defects are structural changes that affect how the body looks or works. They can happen at any point during pregnancy, but most occur in the first three month. Some are obvious, while others can be detected only by a medical professional. They can vary in severity from mild to severe.

Most birth defects are caused by genetic anomalies. These are caused when an individual gene is altered (mutated) or is absent. Some genes are inherited from parents, but other genes are acquired from the environment. The environmental factors include smoking, drinking during pregnancy, or taking certain medications. Exposure to harmful chemicals can also increase the risk of a birth defect.

There is no cure for most birth defects, however there are treatments that can help with some problems. They can include surgery medicines, and special home care. Surgery can correct certain birth defects like cleft lips and palates and spina-bifida. The use of medicines can treat other issues, such as Tay-Sachs or patent ductus artery.

Women who drink alcohol or smoke during pregnancy are at greater risk chance of having a baby with birth defect attorney defect. Women with a history of birth defects in their families are also more at risk. It is crucial to discuss with your doctor the possibility of having a baby 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 can 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 child being born with a specific defect. If the child has a serious mental disorder due to that medication, the child can be eligible for government disability benefits to help meet their needs.

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

Medical facilities, midwives and health professionals are required to disclose and provide medical records related to birth defects. The information is utilized for surveillance of birth defects activities and to identify patterns, clusters and possible causes. This information should not be made available to the public or any other individuals, unless it is permitted by applicable laws and regulations, which includes HIPAA. These regulations may differ according to jurisdiction. The information is used only for purposes approved by the department of health for the state. All employees involved in the birth defect surveillance program must also sign confidentiality agreements and receive training on how to handle confidential information.

Prescription Drugs

The possibility of birth defects can easily be detected prior to the birth of a baby by prenatal ultrasounds, amniocentesis or blood tests (obtaining an amniocentesis sample of the amniotic fluid in the fetus). Women with higher risk pregnancies might be given these more thorough screening options due to the family history or maternal 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 medications are obliged to warn doctors about the dangers. If they fail to do so they could be held responsible for birth injuries.

Medical, hospital and pharmaceutical charges can add up quickly as a result of a birth defect, especially severe ones that require lifelong treatment and care. It's important to gather all receipts, bills, credit card payment documents and other documentation of your losses and rights to compensation.

Some birth defects can be corrected via surgery. Some birth defects are permanent and can affect the person for their entire lives, causing significant limitations and disabilities. A knowledgeable, empathetic birth defect lawyer can assist families get the proper compensation they are entitled to. You must start a claim as soon as you suspect that your child has an anomaly in their birth.

Environmental Exposure

Birth defects can be caused by various environmental causes. These can range from prescription or over-the-counter medications as well as exposure to chemicals in the workplace or at home. Sometimes these causes are hard to pinpoint. However, when a large number of babies with the same defect are born within an exact time frame and location, this is known as a birth defect "cluster".

A medical malpractice attorney is recommended if there is any suspicion of a cause of a birth defect or injury. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and caring can assist families in obtaining the money they deserve to ensure that their child's birth defect or injury won't be a permanent negative impact.

Many states have laws that require the monitoring of birth defect. This involves the collection of information from the hospital discharge records. The information can be used to spot anomalies and trends.

This information can be gathered and shared by different programs like: