A Birth Defect Lawyer Can Help Your Family Achieve Justice

A child's birth defect can dramatically alter your family's life. If a medical professional made error during your pregnancy and your child's condition was a result you must react quickly.

A lawyer who has experience can help you bring an action against the responsible parties. In the meantime, start collecting receipts, bills, and credit card statements.

The causes of birth defects

Birth defects can have many causes. Certain birth problems are caused by genetic disorders. Genes that are not functioning properly or are totally absent (like Turner Syndrome and Down Syndrome) could cause these. They can also be caused by chromosomal disorders, in which some or all of the chromosomes have extra or too few cells.

These issues are typically diagnosed during utero via ultrasound or amniocentesis. A amniotic fluid sample is collected and tested to find genetic abnormalities and chromosomal changes. In some cases doctors are unable to identify the birth defect until the child is born with symptoms like an extra finger, cleft lips or club feet.

Birth problems can also be caused by problems in the nervous system, brain or musculoskeletal system. These issues affect bones, muscles and joint. They can range from mild to severe, and affect how a person is perceived or performs their duties, including physical strength, learning capabilities and mobility.

While some birth defect attorney defects can't be avoided, a few can. Couples with an inheritance history of certain conditions should think about the possibility of genetic screening prior birth defect lawyer to attempting to have the birth of a child. In addition, avoiding exposure to certain chemicals or medications, as well as other environmental factors can reduce the chance of certain birth defects. Medical negligence or malpractice in the care of a pregnant woman could also contribute to birth defects, therefore it's important to talk to a birth defect lawyer when you suspect that an error in your medical treatment could have contributed to the child's condition.

Medical Malpractice

Medical negligence lawsuits involving birth defects can be complicated and require expert medical testimony. A knowledgeable and compassionate medical malpractice lawyer will help your family to get justice and receive the money you need to ensure that your child will live a normal existence.

Your lawyer will identify the birth defect of your child and then link it to the medical professionals who were involved in the birth defect lawsuit. He or she must also determine the date that your child's birth defect was first identified. This is important since it will help you determine how long you have to file a claim before the statute of limitations runs out.

Your attorney should have access to any documents you might have relating to the birth defect of your child, like receipts, bills and credit card transactions. This evidence can help your attorney establish the extent of your child's injuries as well as determine what types of compensation you are entitled to receive.

Birth defects can be triggered in a variety of ways, including medical conditions or genetics exposure to illnesses and infections, as well as exposure to medications or chemicals. However, the majority of birth defects are not caused by medical malpractice or other negligence. Medical malpractice claims are only valid if a doctor does not fulfill his or her duty of care and that negligence causes a birth injury.

Drugs

A birth defect is a malformed development of a part of the body of a newborn that occurs at birth or develops during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control explains that these defects may affect any part of the body of the baby and can vary from mild to life risky.

These conditions are typically the result of the mother's lifestyle or genetics. However, in other cases, medical negligence may be to blame for the child's condition. A Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can assist parents to determine the root of their child's health issue, and pursue legal actions.

Drugs can cause birth defects that are serious. These substances, also known as teratogens, encompass both prescription drugs and illicit street drugs. Thalidomide is one example. It was a time when it was a popular sleep aid and anti-nausea pregnancy medication, but was later discovered to be one of the most devastating birth defects caused by drugs in the history of medicine. It caused limb reduction defects as well as mental and birth defect lawyer physical impairments.

Doctors have a professional obligation to consider the risks of certain medication they prescribe to pregnant women. If they fail to do so they may be guilty of malpractice. Pharmacies and pharmaceutical firms have a duty to warn women about the dangers of using their products.

Toxic Exposure

Some birth defects are caused by exposure to toxic chemicals during utero. These chemicals could be present in the medications that pregnant mothers take and in the environment at home or work or in harmful chemical agents at a workplace. These chemicals, referred to as teratogens, can cause serious birth defects such as spina bifida. They can also cause degenerative delays, skeletal anomalies or brain damage, as well as muscular dystrophy.

Some toxins, such as arsenic or cadmium, are found in soil and drinking water. Lead is a frequent contaminant that can be found in paints for houses as well as art materials as well as plastics and cosmetics. Other toxic substances include pharmaceuticals, including selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) that have been shown to increase the risk of birth defects.

A lawyer that specializes in birth defect cases can help parents determine if a substance or chemical has caused their child's birth defect. In these instances our lawyers could pursue a product liability lawsuit against a chemical or drug manufacturer who developed and manufactured dangerous chemical or medication. We can also start a lawsuit to sue doctors who prescribe drugs that are known to cause adverse side effects for pregnant women.