A Birth Defect Lawyer Can Help Your Family Achieve Justice

Birth defects can have a dramatic impact on your family. It is imperative to act swiftly if a medical professional has committed an error during your pregnancy which resulted in your child's illness.

A lawyer who has experience can help you bring an action against the responsible parties. In the meantime you should begin collecting receipts, bills, and credit card statements.

Causes of Birth Defects

The exact causes of birth defects aren't always known. Certain birth defects result from genetic issues. Genes that aren't working properly or are completely missing (like Turner Syndrome and Down Syndrome) are a cause for these. They can also be caused by chromosomal disorders, in which one or more chromosomes are more or too few cells.

The majority of these problems are diagnosed in utero using ultrasound or amniocentesis. A sample of amniotic fluid is taken and tested to identify genetic and chromosomal variations. In some cases doctors will not be able to identify the birth defect until a baby is born or displays symptoms, for example, having an extra finger, cleft lip or club foot.

In addition to chromosomal and genetic issues, birth defects can be caused by problems with the nervous system, brain and musculoskeletal problems which affect joints, muscles and bones. They can range from moderate to severe and affect how someone appears or performs, such as physical strength, learning abilities and mobility.

While some birth defects cannot be avoided, a few can. Couples who have a history of certain genetic diseases should consider testing their genetics before attempting to have children. In addition, avoiding exposure to certain chemicals or drugs, infections, and other environmental factors can reduce the chance of developing certain birth defects. Medical negligence or malpractice in the treatment of a pregnant woman may also contribute to birth defects, which is why it's important to talk to an attorney for birth defects when you suspect that a medical error could have caused your child's condition.

Medical Malpractice

Medical negligence lawsuits involving birth defects are usually complicated and require expert medical evidence. A knowledgeable and compassionate medical malpractice lawyer can help your family to get justice and secure the compensation you need to ensure your child is able to lead a normal life.

Your lawyer will identify the birth defect that your child has and link it to the medical professionals involved in its delivery. Your attorney will also need to know when the birth defect of your child was first identified. 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 also have access to any documents you have concerning the birth defect of your child, including bills, receipts and credit card payment. This evidence will allow your attorney to prove the severity of your child's injuries as well as determine the types of compensation you are entitled to.

Birth defects can be caused by a myriad of factors that include genetic conditions chemical or medication or exposure to infections and illnesses. However, the vast majority of birth defects aren't caused by medical malpractice or other type of negligence. Medical malpractice claims are only valid if a physician is negligent in their duty of care and that negligence causes a birth injury.

Drugs

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

Often, these issues are the result of genetics or the mother's lifestyle. However, in other cases, medical negligence may be the cause of the child's condition. An experienced Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can assist parents determine the cause of their child's condition and take legal action.

The use of drugs can cause serious birth defects in the fetus. These substances, often referred to as teratogens, comprise both prescription drugs as well as illegal street drugs. Thalidomide is an example. It was once a popular sleep aid and pregnancy anti-nausea medication but turned out to be one of the most devastating drug-related birth defects in history. It caused the development of limbs, mental and physical impairments, as well as other physical impairments.

Doctors are required by law to be aware of the risks of certain drugs they prescribe to pregnant women. If they fail to take this step, they commit malpractice. Pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies have an obligation to warn women of the dangers of taking their products.

Toxic Exposure

While many birth defects are the result of an unfortunate genetic anomaly that could not have been prevented, some of them are the result of exposure to toxic chemicals while in the uterus. These chemicals can be found in the medications that a mother takes during pregnancy and in the environment at home or at work as well as in toxic chemical substances in workplaces. These chemicals are referred to as teratogens and could cause severe birth defect law firms defects, including spina bifida, developmental delays as well as skeletal deformities and brain damage, muscular dystrophy and low birth weight, deformities of the limbs, and heart problems.

Certain toxic substances like arsenic or cadmium may be found in drinking water and soil. Lead is a frequent contaminant that can be found on house paint, art supplies, plastics, cosmetics, and many other products. Other toxins include pharmaceuticals, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which have been proven to increase the risk of 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 cases, our lawyers can pursue a product liability claim against the chemical or drug manufacturer that developed and manufactured a dangerous medication. We can also file a lawsuit to sue doctors who prescribe drugs known to cause adverse side effects in pregnant women.