A Birth Defect Lawyer Can Help Your Family Achieve Justice

A child's birth defect could profoundly alter the way your family lives. If a medical professional committed negligence during your pregnancy, resulting in your child's condition it is imperative to respond quickly.

An experienced birth injury lawyer can help you file a claim against the parties responsible. In the meantime, start collecting bills, receipts and credit card statements.

The causes of birth defects

The causes of birth defects aren't always understood. Certain birth defects result from genetic problems. Genes that are not functioning properly or completely missing (like Turner Syndrome and Down Syndrome) can trigger these. They can also be the result of chromosomal problems, where some or all of the chromosomes have more or too few cells.

These types of problems are usually detected in utero with ultrasound or amniocentesis. a sample of amniotic fluid is taken and tested for chromosomal and genetic abnormalities. In some instances doctors may not detect the birth defect until a child is born or shows symptoms, such as having an extra finger, cleft lip, or club foot.

Apart from chromosomal and genetic issues birth defects can also be caused by problems with the brain or nervous system as well as musculoskeletal disorders that affect bones, muscles and joints. They can vary from mild to severe and impact a person's appearance or performance, as well as their learning abilities as well as their strength and mobility.

While some birth defects can't be prevented, many can. Couples with a history of certain inherited conditions should consider the possibility of genetic screening prior to attempting to have the birth of a child. Additionally, avoiding exposure to certain chemicals such as drugs, infections, and other environmental factors can reduce the chance of developing some birth defects. Medical negligence and malpractice in the care of pregnant women can also lead to birth defects. It is imperative to speak with a birth defect attorney If you suspect that an error in your medical treatment has caused your child's condition.

Medical Malpractice

Medical negligence lawsuits that involve birth defects are often complex and require expert medical evidence. A knowledgeable and compassionate medical malpractice lawyer will assist your family obtain justice and secure the money you need to ensure your child is able to live a normal existence.

Your lawyer will identify the birth defect of your child and link it with the medical professionals involved in its delivery. The lawyer will also have to determine when your child's birth defect was discovered. This is important since it will tell you how long you have to wait before the statute of limitations expires and you can file your claim.

It is also important that your attorney has access to your medical records and any other documents you may have related to the birth defect of your child for example, receipts, bills, and credit card payments. This will enable your attorney to prove the extent of the harm your child sustained and determine what you're entitled to in compensation.

Birth defects can be caused by a myriad of factors such as genetic disorders and medications, or exposure to illnesses and infections. However, the vast majority of birth defects aren't caused by medical malpractice or any other type of negligence. Medical malpractice claims are only valid if a physician is not performing his duty of care and this negligence results in a birth injury.

Drugs

Birth defects are the result of abnormalities that can develop in a child's body when it is born or during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) informs us that these problems can affect any part of the body and can range from mild to life-threatening.

Often, these conditions are the result of genetics or mother's lifestyle. In certain cases medical malpractice may be the cause of the child's condition. An experienced Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can help a parent determine the source of their child's condition and take legal action.

Drugs could cause grave birth defects in the foetus. These substances are called Teratogens, and they include prescription drugs and illegal street drugs. Thalidomide was once extensively used as an anti-nausea drug and sleep aid medication during pregnancy, but it turned out to be the cause of some of the most traumatic birth defects ever recorded. It caused limb reduction problems as well as other mental and physical impairments.

Doctors are required to consider the potential risks associated with certain medications when prescribing them to pregnant women. They commit malpractice when they fail to do so. Pharmacies and pharmaceutical firms have an obligation to warn women about the risks of using their products.

Toxic Exposure

While many birth defects are a result of an unfortunate genetic defect that cannot have been prevented, a number of them are caused by exposure to toxic chemicals while in utero. These chemicals are often found in the medications that pregnant women take, in environmental contaminants in the workplace or at home as well as in toxic chemical agents at work. These chemicals, also 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, cadmium, and arsenic can be found in drinking water and soil. Lead is a common contaminant that can be found in house paint as well as art materials, plastics, and cosmetics. Other toxic substances include pharmaceuticals like selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) that have been found to increase birth defects.

A lawyer who specializes in birth defect claims can assist parents in determining if an ingredient or a chemical was the proximate cause of their child's birth injury. In these instances, our lawyers can pursue a product liability claim against the chemical or drug manufacturer that designed and manufactured a dangerous drug. We can also start a lawsuit to sue doctors who prescribe drugs known to cause adverse side effects for pregnant women.