A Birth Defect Lawyer Can Help Your Family Achieve Justice

A child's birth defect can profoundly alter the way your family lives. If a medical professional has committed malpractice during your pregnancy, and your child's condition was a result you must react quickly.

An experienced lawyer for birth injuries can assist you in filing an action against those who are responsible. In the meantime, begin collecting receipts, bills and credit card statements.

Causes of Birth Defects

The causes of birth defects aren't always understood. However, some of them are due to genetic problems, where genes aren't functioning properly, or are completely absent (like Turner syndrome and Down syndrome). They can also result from chromosomal disorders, in which one or more chromosomes contain excess or too many cells.

These kinds of issues are usually diagnosed during utero via ultrasound or firms amniocentesis. amniotic fluid is taken and tested for chromosomal changes and genetic abnormalities. In some instances doctors do not find the birth defect until a child exhibits symptoms such as an extra finger, cleft lips or club feet.

Birth problems can also be caused by problems in the brain, nervous system or the musculoskeletal system. These issues affect the joints, muscles, and bones. They can vary from mild to serious and affect an individual's appearance or performance, as well as their learning capabilities as well as their strength and mobility.

While some birth defects can't be avoided, a few can. Couples who have a history of certain inherited conditions should consider genetic screening before trying for the birth of a child. In addition, avoiding exposure to certain chemicals such as drugs, infections, and other environmental triggers can reduce the risk of some birth defects. Medical errors and negligence in care of pregnant women may cause birth defects. It is imperative to speak with a birth defect attorney when you suspect that an error in your medical treatment has caused your child's condition.

Medical Malpractice

Birth defects cases that involve medical negligence are typically complex and require expert testimony. A knowledgeable and compassionate medical malpractice lawyer can assist your family obtain justice and obtain the money you need to ensure that your child can lead a normal life.

To determine whether you have a medical malpractice case, your attorney will start by identifying the child's birth defect before linking it to the medical professionals who were involved in the delivery. The attorney must also determine the date that your child's birth defect was identified. This is important as it will let you know how long you have to file a claim before the statute of limitations runs out.

It is also essential that your attorney has access to your medical records and any other documents you might have that relate to the birth defect that your child has for example, receipts, bills and credit card transactions. This evidence will allow your attorney to demonstrate the severity of the harm your child suffered and determine what compensation you are entitled.

Birth defects can occur in a variety of ways, including medical or genetic disorders, exposure to illnesses and infections, as well as exposure to medications or chemicals. However, the vast majority of birth defects aren't caused by medical malpractice or other form of negligence. Medical malpractice claims are only valid if a physician is not performing his duty of care and that negligence causes a birth injury.

Drugs

Birth defects are conditions that can develop in a child's body at birth or during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explain that these birth defects can affect any part of the body and vary from mild to life-threatening.

Often, these issues are a result of genetics or the mother's lifestyle. In certain instances medical malpractice can be the reason for the child's illness. A Hyattsville birth defects lawyer can help parents determine the cause of their child's illness, and take legal actions.

Drugs can cause serious birth defects. These substances are called Teratogens, and they include prescription drugs as well as street drugs. Thalidomide is one example. It was once a popular sleep aid and anti-nausea medication for pregnant women, but it turned out to be one of the most devastating drug-related birth defects in the history of medicine. It caused limb reduction problems and other physical and mental impairments.

Doctors have a duty of care to be aware of the dangers associated with certain medications they prescribe to pregnant women. They are committing malpractice if they fail to consider this. Pharmacies and pharmaceutical firms have obligations to inform women of the dangers of taking their products.

Toxic Exposure

While many birth defects are a result of an unfortunate genetic condition that cannot be prevented, a few of them are the result of exposure to toxic chemicals in utero. These substances are found in the drugs a pregnant woman takes as well as in the environmental pollutants in the home or at work as well as in toxic chemical substances in workplaces. These chemicals are known as teratogens. They are able to cause severe birth defects, such as spina bifida and developmental delays as well as skeletal deformities or brain damage, muscle dystrophy, low birth weight, deformities of the limbs and heart problems.

Some toxins, such as arsenic and cadmium, can be found in soil and drinking water. Lead is a common contaminant that can be found in paints for homes as well as art materials, plastics, and cosmetics. Other toxins include pharmaceuticals such as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which have been shown to increase birth defects.

A lawyer with expertise in birth defects can help parents determine if a particular drug or chemical caused the birth injury to their child. In these instances, our lawyers can pursue a product liability claim against the drug or chemical manufacturer that created and firms manufactured dangerous medications. We may also make a claim to sue doctors who prescribe drugs known to cause adverse side effects for pregnant women.