Birth Defect Law

Birth injuries and birth defects may result from a variety of factors. In many instances, these issues are preventable.

Most often, they are caused by medical negligence during pregnancy. Chemical exposure is another cause. People who work in beauty salons and paint factories as well, as those who work in metal cleaning operations face a significant chance of developing these defects.

Causes

Birth defects are structural abnormalities that affect one or more parts. The severity of the defects may range from mild to life-threatening. Every year, approximately 1 out of 33 babies is born with a birth deformity.

It can be heartbreaking for parents and other family members when a baby is born without an anomaly in the birth. Some birth defects can be inherited through genetic inheritance and others are caused by a range of causes including obstetrical problems and medication side effects, infections, or toxins.

Birth defect attorneys and research have found that environmental causes are responsible for some birth defects. This includes medications which were not prescribed by doctors, toxic chemicals in the workplace and birth defect lawyer at home, and chemicals that pollute the environment. In the Vietnam War, mothers were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, which resulted in birth defects in children. Unfortunately, many of these birth defects could be prevented by the proper care.

Signs and symptoms

A birth defect can affect how the body looks or works. 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. Environmental factors and medications may also contribute to this condition.

Certain birth defects are noticeable, like mouths or lips that have clefts some are less obvious. They can be a slow response to sound, or the inability to meet developmental milestones like sitting up and crawling.

A birth injury could be the result of a birth defect or it could occur during labor and delivery for example, the caput succedaneum (a swelling on the newborn's scalp due to pressure during a head-first birth). These injuries are difficult to recognize, particularly when they manifest in the form of a low heart rate or low oxygen levels or the appearance of drooling.

Treatment

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

According to the CDC, birth defects can affect any part of the body and influence how that part is perceived or functions. They can also impact the life expectancy of your child.

A newborn born with an abnormal birth can be treated by a variety of healthcare professionals, including pediatricians and family practitioners. If your baby was born with a serious birth defect, such as club foot, you may need to consult an orthopedic surgeon or limb surgeon.

If your doctor did not fulfill the duty of care owed to you during your pregnancy and the breach led to the birth defect of your child you may be able to file an action for medical negligence. It is the duty of both doctors and pharmaceutical companies prescribing certain medications to inform women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant about the potential of birth defect. This includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs are linked to many health issues, including birth defects.

Damages

Medical professionals must take all precautions to ensure that infants do not suffer from birth defects or injuries. If doctors fail to take these precautions parents could be entitled to compensation to cover their loss.

There are different types of damages, based on the severity of an injury or birth defect. An attorney can help you determine which damages to pursue.

The CDC reports that every year one in 33 babies is born with birth defect lawyer defects. These birth defects be anything from cleft lip to missing limbs and can have serious and long-lasting consequences.

If your child has suffered a birth defect because of medical malpractice, it's imperative that you act swiftly to file a claim before the statute of limitations expires. A Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorney can assist you. A legal consultation can assist you in determining the value of your case.

Statute of limitations

You might be able pursue a lawsuit if you believe your child is born with a defect or injury which could have been easily prevented by medical negligence. There are strict deadlines, known as statutes or limitations, which you must follow in order to avoid having your claim being dismissed.

A birth defect is an abnormality which affects a newborn baby and can result in physical or mental impairments, including death. These cases fall within different areas of law, such as medical negligence, products liability and employment law. For instance, the drug Thalidomide caused fetal problems decades ago and led to mass action lawsuits against its manufacturer.

Birth defects are a sad aspect of life, but they can be avoided. Medical malpractice claims are important to safeguard patients.

Find an Attorney

Although modern technology and advancements in medicine have drastically reduced the risks associated with birth and pregnancy, some birth defect lawyer defects remain a possibility. Parents who are shocked discover that their child was afflicted by an injury or defect that was caused by birth may be eligible for compensation.

According to the CDC birth defects can affect any part of the infant's body and often have a profound effect on their appearance and function. Some of these disorders are not evident until the child is born or even later in life. Many of these diseases are connected to medical malpractice.

An experienced and compassionate medical malpractice attorney can assist your family recover the damages that you are owed for your child's injuries. These damages include emergency surgeries and long-term care and treatment. They also include medical expenses, physical therapy and special education costs.