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 committed malpractice during your pregnancy, that led to the condition of your child, you need to respond quickly.
A skilled lawyer for birth injuries can assist you in filing an action against those who are responsible. In the meantime you should begin collecting bills, receipts and statements from credit cards.
Birth Defects and Causes
The exact causes of birth defects aren’t always clear. Some birth defects result from genetic problems. Genes that aren’t functioning properly or are totally absent (like Turner Syndrome and Down Syndrome) are a cause for these. They may also be caused by chromosomal problems, where one or more chromosomes contain excess or too many cells.
These types of problems are usually identified during utero via ultrasound or amniocentesis, where amniotic fluid from the uterus is collected and tested for chromosomal and genetic abnormalities. In some instances doctors do not find the birth defect until the child is born with symptoms like an extra finger, cleft lips, or club feet.
In addition to chromosomal and genetic issues, birth defects can be caused by problems with the nervous system, brain and musculoskeletal problems that impact the joints, muscles and bones. They can range from moderate to severe and affect how someone is perceived or performs their duties, including physical strength, learning abilities and mobility.
Certain birth defects are inevitable however, others can be avoided. Couples with a history of certain inherited diseases should consider testing their genetics prior to trying to have children. Additionally avoidance of certain chemicals, drugs, infections and other environmental factors can lower the chance of certain birth defect attorney defects. Medical errors and negligence in treatment of pregnant women can cause birth defects. It is essential to consult an attorney for birth defects when you suspect that the medical error could have caused the condition of your child.
Medical Malpractice
Medical negligence lawsuits that involve birth defects are often complex and require expert medical testimony. A skilled and empathetic medical malpractice lawyer will assist your family achieve justice and obtain the money you need to ensure your child is able to have a normal, fulfilling life.
Your attorney will first identify the birth defect of your child and link it to the medical professionals involved in the birth. The attorney will also need to identify the date that your child’s birth defect was discovered. This is important as it will help you determine how long you’ll need to make a claim before the statute of limitations expires.
Your attorney should be able to access any documents you have regarding the birth defect of your child, including invoices, receipts and credit card payment. This information will allow your attorney to demonstrate the severity of the harm your child has suffered and determine the amount of amount of compensation you’re entitled to.
Birth defects can be caused through a variety of factors that include genetic conditions and medications, or exposure to infections and illnesses. The vast majority of birth defects are not caused by negligence or medical malpractice. If a doctor fails to perform his or his or her duty of care and this failure causes an injury to the baby will medical malpractice claims be justified.
Drugs
Birth defects are the result of abnormalities that can develop in a child’s body at birth or during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control explains that these defects may affect any part of the baby’s body and range from mild to life risky.
Most of the time, these ailments are the result of genetics or mother’s lifestyle. In other instances medical negligence could be the reason for the child’s condition. A Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can help parents identify the root of their child’s illness, and then take legal action.
Drugs can cause serious birth defects in the foetus. These substances, referred to as teratogens include prescription drugs and illicit street drugs. Thalidomide was once widely used as an anti-nausea medication and sleep aid. pregnancy medication, but it turned out to be the cause of some of the most catastrophic birth defects ever recorded. It led to limb reduction defects along with other mental and physical impairments.
Doctors have a duty of care to be aware of the risks that come with certain drugs they prescribe to pregnant women. They are committing malpractice if they fail to do so. Pharmaceutical companies and pharmacists are held to the obligation to inform women of the potential risk that comes with taking their product.
Toxic Exposure
Although many birth defect lawsuit defects are the result of an unfortunate genetic condition that cannot have been prevented, some of them are caused by exposure to toxic chemicals while in the uterus. These chemicals can be found in the drugs a pregnant woman takes and in environmental contaminants at the home or at work, or even in toxic chemical substances in workplaces. These chemicals, also referred to as teratogens may cause serious birth defects such as spina bifida. They may also cause problems with development, skeletal abnormalities, brain damage and muscular dystrophy.
Certain toxins like arsenic and cadmium are found in drinking water as well as soil. Lead is a common contamination that is present on painting supplies, home paint and plastics, as well as cosmetics, Birth Defect and other products. Other toxins include pharmaceuticals, like selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) which have been proven to cause an increase in birth defects.
A lawyer who is specialized in birth defect cases can assist parents in determining whether chemicals or drugs were the main cause of their child’s birth injury. In these cases our lawyers can file a products liability claim against the drug or chemical manufacturer that designed and manufactured the dangerous medication. We can also bring a lawsuit against doctors who prescribe drugs that have been known to have adverse side effects on pregnant women.