Birth Defect Law

Birth defects and injuries can result from a variety of factors. These conditions can be avoided in many cases.

They are often the result of medical malpractice while pregnant. Other causes include chemical exposure. Workers in beauty salons or paint factories, as well as metal cleaning operations face an increased chance of developing these defects.

Causes

Birth defects are structural abnormalities that can affect one or more body parts. The severity of these defects may range from mild to life-threatening. Approximately 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect every year.

If a baby is born with a birth defect, it can be heart-wrenching for parents and family members. Some birth defects are inherited from a parent's genes while others are caused by a variety of factors, including problems with obstetrics and pregnancy, side-effects of medications or toxins, as well as infections.

Studies and birth defect attorneys have shown that some of the causes of birth defects are due to environmental factors, such as medications that are negligently prescribed by doctors and toxic chemicals that are present in the home and workplace, and toxic substances that can contaminate the environment. In the Vietnam War, mothers were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, birth defect attorney which resulted in birth defects in children. Sadly, many of these birth defects could be prevented with the right care.

Signs and symptoms

Birth defects can affect the way your body appears and functions. It can be structural (such as a lip or cleft palate) or cause genetic changes. Down syndrome, for instance is caused by an extra chromosome. Certain medications and environmental factors could be the cause of this condition.

Some birth defects, such as cleft lips and palates, are obvious, whereas others can be more subtle. They include a slow reaction to sound or inability to meet developmental milestones like crawling and sitting up.

Birth injuries can be the result of an abnormality in the birth or it could occur during labor and delivery for example, the caput succedaneum (a swelling on the scalp of a newborn due to pressure during a head-first birth). Sometimes, these injuries are difficult to detect, especially when they manifest as a reduced heart rate, lowered oxygen levels, and excessive drooling.

Treatment

If your child was born with an anomaly in the birth, there are treatment options that can treat his or her condition. These include surgery, medication, and other specialized therapies.

Birth defects can affect any area or function of the body, according to the CDC. They can also impact the expected lifespan of your child.

A newborn born with a birth defect is treated by a variety of health professionals, such as pediatricians and family practitioners. If your baby has a serious birth defect, like club foot, you might require an orthopedic or limb specialist surgeon.

You may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit if the doctor violated the duty of care you received during pregnancy, and this breach caused your child to be born with defects. It is the responsibility of both doctors and pharmaceutical companies prescribing certain drugs to warn women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant about the potential of birth defects. This includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs have been linked with a variety of health problems, including birth defect.

Damages

Medical professionals must take all necessary precautions to ensure that babies do not suffer from birth defects or injuries. Parents could be eligible for compensation if doctors fail to take the appropriate precautions.

Based on the degree of the injury or birth defect, there are many different kinds of damages that could result. An attorney can assist you decide on the damages you should seek.

The CDC reports that every year one in 33 babies is born with a birth defect attorney defect. These problems range from lips clefts to missing limbs, and can have serious and lasting consequences.

You must act quickly to submit a claim if you suspect that your child is born with a birth defect as a result of medical malpractice. The time for filing a claim is coming up in the near future. A Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyer can help you. A consultation with a lawyer can help you determine how much your case may be worth.

Statute of Limitations

You might be able bring a lawsuit if your child suffers from a birth defect or injury that could have been easily prevented due to medical negligence. However there are strict deadlines - known as statutes of limitation that you must adhere to or your claim will be dismissed.

Birth defects are the result of abnormalities that affect a newborn infant. They can cause physical or mental impairments and even death. These cases fall within different legal areas like medical malpractice as well as products liability, and employment law. Thalidomide, for instance, has caused fetal defects in the past, and resulted in class action lawsuits against its maker.

Birth defects are a sad part of life, but they can be avoided. Medical malpractice claims are crucial for protecting patients.

Find an Attorney

Despite the fact that modern technology and medical advancements have drastically reduced risk of pregnancy and birth, certain birth defects can still occur. Parents who are shocked to discover that their child was afflicted by an injury or birth defect are entitled to compensation.

According to the CDC, birth defects can affect any part of the infant's body, and can have an enormous impact on their appearance and function. Some of these disorders are not recognized until after the birth of the baby or even later. Many of these disorders are linked to medical negligence.

A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can help your family to recover the damages you owe for your child's injuries. These damages can include emergency surgeries as well as long-term care and treatment such as physical therapy, medication and special education expenses, as well as other expenses related to the child's impairment.