A Birth Defect Lawyer Can Help Your Family Achieve Justice
Birth defects can have a dramatic impact on your family. If a doctor committed malpractice during your pregnancy, that led to the condition of your child, you need to act fast.
A birth injury lawyer with experience can assist you in bringing a claim against the responsible parties. In the meantime you should begin gathering bills, receipts and credit card statements.
Birth Defects and Causes
Birth defects can have a variety of causes. Some birth defects result from genetic issues. Genes that are not functioning properly or completely missing (like Turner Syndrome and Down Syndrome) are a cause for these. They could also be caused by chromosomal issues where one or several chromosomes are either too many or there are not enough cells.
The majority of these problems are diagnosed in utero through ultrasound or amniocentesis. A sample of amniotic liquid from the uterus is taken and tested to detect chromosomal abnormalities and genetic changes. In some cases doctors will not be able to identify the birth defect until the child is born or shows symptoms, such as having an extra finger, cleft lip or firms club foot.
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 bones, muscles and joints. They can range from moderate to severe and affect how someone behaves or looks, firms as well as physical strength, learning abilities and mobility.
While some birth defects can’t be prevented, some can. Couples who have a history of certain genetic disorders should think about genetic testing before trying to have a child. In addition avoidance of certain chemicals or drugs, infections, and other environmental factors can lower the chance of developing some birth defects. Medical malpractice or negligence in the care of a pregnant woman could cause birth defects, which is why it’s important to talk to an attorney who specializes in birth defects in the event that you believe that a medical error could have contributed to the condition of your child.
Medical Malpractice
Medical negligence lawsuits that involve birth defects are often complex and require expert medical testimony. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable will assist you and your family get the amount of compensation you need to ensure your child’s normal life.
To determine whether you have a medical malpractice claim Your lawyer will begin by carefully identifying your child’s birth defect, and then linking it to the medical professionals who were involved in his or her delivery. The lawyer will also have to determine the time when the birth defect was identified. This is important since it will let you know the time frame you must submit a claim prior to the statute of limitations expires.
Your attorney should also have access to any documents you might have relating to the birth defect of your child. These documents include invoices, receipts and credit card transactions. This information will enable your attorney to prove the extent of the harm the child suffered and determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to.
Birth defects can be caused by a myriad of factors, including genetic conditions medications or chemicals or exposure to diseases and infections. The majority of birth defect are not the result of medical malpractice or negligence. If a doctor fails to meet his or her duty of care and the result is birth injuries will medical malpractice claims be justified.
Drugs
Birth defects are conditions that develop in a baby’s body during the birth process or during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control explains that these conditions can affect any part of the body of the baby and range from mild to life risky.
These conditions are often caused by the mother’s lifestyle or genetics. In other instances, medical negligence may be the reason for the child’s condition. A Hyattsville birth defects lawyer can assist parents in determining the cause of their child’s health issue, and pursue legal action.
Drugs have the potential to cause grave birth defects in the foetus. These substances are referred to as teratogens and include both prescription drugs as well as street drugs. Thalidomide, for example, was once a popular sleep aid and pregnancy anti-nausea medication but was later discovered to be one of the most devastating birth defects caused by drugs in the history of medicine. It caused injuries to the limbs, mental and physical impairments as well as other physical impairments.
Doctors are required to take into account the risks associated with certain medications when prescribing them for pregnant women. If they fail to take this step and commit malpractice, they have committed a crime. Pharmacies and pharmaceutical firms have a duty to warn women about the risks of taking their products.
Toxic Exposure
Certain birth defects are caused by exposure to toxic chemicals in utero. These chemicals could be present in medications that pregnant mothers take, in environmental contaminants at work or at home or in toxic chemical agents at a workplace. These chemicals are known as teratogens and can cause severe birth defects, including spina bifida, development delays as well as skeletal deformities, brain damage, muscular dystrophy as well as low birth weight deformities of the limbs and heart issues.
Some toxins, such as arsenic, cadmium and arsenic, can be found in drinking water and soil. Lead is a well-known contaminant that is present on painting supplies, home paint plastics, cosmetics and other products. Other toxins include pharmaceuticals including selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) which have been found to increase the risk of birth defects.
A lawyer with expertise in birth defect cases can assist parents in determining if chemicals or drugs were the main cause of the birth injury suffered by their child. In these cases our lawyers can file a product liability claim against the chemical or drug manufacturer that developed and manufactured dangerous medications. We may also bring a lawsuit against doctors who prescribe drugs that are known to cause adverse side effects in pregnant women.