Birth Defect Law

Birth injuries and birth defects can be caused by a variety of causes. They can be avoided in many cases.

They are often the result of medical malpractice while pregnant. Chemical exposure is another cause. The people who work in beauty salons, paint factories and metal cleaning operations are at a high chance of developing these defects.

Causes

Birth defects are structural issues that affect the body in one or more areas of the body. The severity of these issues may range from mild to life-threatening. Approximately 1 out of 33 babies are born with a birth defect each year.

It can be devastating for parents and other family members when a child is born without any birth defect. Some birth defects are inherited through a parent's genes, while others can be caused by a number of factors, such as problems with obstetrics and pregnancy, side-effects of medications as well as toxins and infections.

Birth defect attorneys and research have revealed that environmental factors are the main cause of certain birth defects. These include medications which were not prescribed by doctors, toxic chemicals at workplace and at home, and chemicals that pollute the environment. During the Vietnam War, mothers were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, which resulted in birth defects in children. Unfortunately, many of these birth deformities could have been prevented with the right medical attention.

Symptoms

Birth defects can alter the way your body appears and performs. It could be structural (such as a cleft palate or lip) or result from genetic changes. A chromosome extra is responsible for the Down syndrome. Environmental factors and medications may be the cause of this condition.

Some birth defects, like cleft lips and palates, are obvious, whereas others can be more subtle. Some of them are delayed responses to sound, or a failure to achieve developmental goals, such as crawling and sitting up.

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

Treatment

If your child has a birth defect there are a variety of treatment options available to correct the issue. These include medication, surgery, and specialized therapy.

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

A variety of health care professionals can help a newborn with a birth defect including pediatricians, family practitioners and neonatologists. If your baby has a serious birth defect such as club foot, you could require a limb specialist or orthopedic surgeon.

If your doctor violated the obligation to care due you during your pregnancy and the breach led to the birth defect of your child and you are able to pursue an action for medical negligence. It is the duty of both doctors and pharmaceutical companies prescribing certain medicines to inform women who are pregnant or plan to be pregnant about the possibility of birth defect. This includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications have been linked to a range of health problems such as birth defects.

Damages

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

Based on the degree of the injury or birth defect, there are many different kinds of damages that could result. A lawyer can help you determine what damages you should seek.

The CDC states that each year, one in 33 infants is born with a birth defect. The causes vary from cleft lips to missing limbs, and they can have serious and lasting consequences.

You must act swiftly to make a claim if your child is born with a birth defect due to medical malpractice. The time for filing a claim is coming up in the near future. A Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorney can assist you. Legal consultations can also help you determine the worth of your case.

Statute of limitations

If your child suffers from an injury or defect in the birth process that could have been avoided by medical negligence, you could have a legal claim. However, there are strict deadlines, also known as statutes of limitations that you must follow or your case will be dismissed.

Birth defects are the result of abnormalities that affect newborn babies. They can lead to physical or mental disabilities, and even death. These cases are categorized into different areas of law such as medical negligence as well as products liability and employment law. For instance Thalidomide, a drug, caused fetal birth defects decades ago and led to class action suits against its manufacturer.

Although birth defects are a nagging part of life, they are often preventable. This is the reason medical malpractice claims against doctors are important to protect patients.

Find an Attorney

While modern technology and advances in medical science have greatly reduced the risk of pregnancy and birth but some birth defect lawsuit defects remain. Stunned parents could be entitled to compensation if they discover that their child suffered from a birth defect that could have been prevented or injury.

According to the CDC birth defects can affect any aspect of the baby's anatomy. They can affect their appearance and functionality. Some of these disorders may not be recognized until after the birth of the baby or even later. Many of these disorders are linked to medical negligence.

A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can assist your family get the compensation you're due. These damages can include emergency surgeries, long term care and treatment such as physical therapy, medication as well as special education costs, among other expenses associated with the child's disability.