A Birth Defect Lawyer Can Help Your Family Achieve Justice

A birth defect for a child could dramatically alter your family's life. You need to act quickly if a medical professional has committed malpractice during your pregnancy which caused your child's condition.

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

Birth Defects and Causes

The causes of birth defects aren't always obvious. Certain birth problems are caused by genetic disorders. Genes that aren't functioning properly or are completely missing (like Turner Syndrome and Down Syndrome) are a cause for these. They can also be caused by chromosomal issues in which one or more chromosomes have too many or there are 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 mutations and chromosomal anomalies. In some cases doctors do not find the birth defect before a child has symptoms like an extra finger, cleft lips or club feet.

Aside from genetic and chromosomal issues birth defects are caused by issues with the nervous system, brain as well as musculoskeletal disorders that impact the joints, muscles and bones. They can range from mild to severe and affect an individual's appearance or performance, as well as their ability to learn, strength and mobility.

While some birth defects cannot be prevented, many can be prevented. Couples who have a history of certain inherited conditions should consider screening for genetics prior to trying for a baby. Avoiding exposure to certain drugs and chemicals and diseases and other environmental factors can reduce the chance of developing birth defects. Medical mistakes and negligence in the care of pregnant women can also lead to birth defects. It is imperative to consult a birth defect attorney If you suspect that an error in medical care has caused the condition of your child.

Medical Malpractice

Medical negligence lawsuits that involve birth defects are usually complicated and require expert medical testimony. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer will assist your family achieve justice and receive the compensation you need to ensure that your child can live a normal life.

Your lawyer will first determine the birth defect that your child has and link it to the medical professionals who were involved in its birth. The lawyer will also need to identify the date that your child's birth defect was discovered. This is crucial because it will help you know how long you have to submit a claim prior to the statute of limitations runs out.

It is also essential for your attorney to have access to your medical records and any other documents that you have related to your child's birth defect such as receipts, bills, and credit card payments. This evidence will allow your attorney to establish the severity of the harm the child suffered and determine the amount of amount of compensation you're entitled to.

Birth defects can result in many ways, such as the effects of medications or genetic conditions, exposure to illnesses and infections, or even exposure to drugs or chemicals. However, the majority of birth defects are not caused by medical malpractice or any other type of negligence. If a physician does not fulfill his or his or her duty of care and the result is an injury to the baby will medical malpractice be justified.

Drugs

Birth defects are conditions that occur in a baby's body after birth or during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control explains that these birth defects can affect any part of the baby's body and can range from mild to life danger.

These conditions are typically the result of the mother's lifestyle or genetics. In other instances medical negligence could be to blame for the child's condition. An experienced Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can help parents determine the cause of their child's condition and pursue legal action.

Drugs can cause birth defects that are serious. These substances are known as Teratogens, and they include prescription drugs and street drugs. Thalidomide was once extensively used as a sleep aid and anti-nausea pregnancy medication but it proved to cause some of the most traumatic birth defects ever recorded. It caused limb reduction defects and other physical and mental impairments.

Doctors are required to take into account the potential risks associated with certain medications when prescribing them for pregnant women. If they fail to take this step they are guilty of malpractice. Pharmaceutical pharmacies and companies have the responsibility of educating women about the risk associated with taking their products.

Toxic Exposure

Certain birth defects can be caused by exposure to toxic chemicals in utero. These substances are found in the medications that a pregnant woman takes and in environmental contaminants at the home or at work as well as in toxic chemicals in a workplace. These chemicals, also referred to as teratogens can cause serious birth defects, such as spina bifida. They may also trigger problems with development, skeletal abnormalities or brain damage, as well as muscular dystrophy.

Certain toxic substances like arsenic and cadmium are found in drinking water as well as soil. Lead is a common contamination that is found on house paint, art supplies plastics, cosmetics, and other products. Other toxins include pharmaceuticals, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which have been shown to cause birth defects.

A lawyer who is specialized in birth defects can help parents determine whether a drug or chemical has caused their child's birth defect. In these cases our lawyers can file a claim for product liability against a chemical or pharmaceutical manufacturer who developed and manufactured a dangerous medication or chemical. We may also make a claim to sue doctors who prescribe drugs which are known to cause adverse side effects for pregnant women.