Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Legal Team

It can be a frightening and confusing process to discover that your child is born with a birth defect. It's important to contact an experienced birth defect legal team as soon as possible.

A lawyer can help you understand the causes of a birth defect and how to file a lawsuit in order to get compensation for your child.

Birth Defects and Causes

Birth defects are structural changes in the body that affect how it looks or functions. They can occur at any time during pregnancy, however the majority occur within the first three month. Some are obvious, while others are only detected by a doctor. They can range in severity from mild to severe.

Genetic abnormalities are responsible for the majority of birth problems. They happen when a particular gene is altered (mutates) or is missing completely. The majority of genes are passed on from parents to children, but some come from the environment. Environmental factors include smoking, drinking during pregnancy or taking certain medications. Exposure to harmful chemical substances can also increase the risk of having a birth defect.

Certain birth defects can be treated, but most cannot. These include surgery, medications and home care. Certain birth defects, such as cleft lip and palate and spina bifida, can be treated through surgery. Other issues, such patent ductus arteriosus and Tay-Sachs disease, can be treated using medications.

Women who smoke, drink alcohol or both during pregnancy are at a higher risk of having babies with birth defects. Women with a history of birth defects in their family are also at a higher risk. It is important to discuss with your physician the possibility of having a child who has a birth deformity.

Medical Malpractice

In many cases, birth defect law firms defects are the result of medical negligence during pregnancy and delivery. A New York birth defect lawyer can assist parents to file a malpractice lawsuit against the doctor who caused the child's condition.

A doctor might have negligently prescribed medication to the mother that increased the chance of the baby having a particular defect. If the child suffers from a severe mental impairment due to the medication, they could receive government benefits to help those with disabilities.

A medical professional or hospital could also have missed a chance to identify an existing birth defect in the mother when the fetal screening was conducted. If the doctor did not do the test or discuss the results with parents, he could be held responsible for wrongful claims.

Midwives, medical facilities, and health professionals are required to divulge and provide medical records related to birth defects. The information is used for birth defects surveillance activities, as well as to identify trends, clusters, and possible causes. This information cannot be disclosed to the public or any other individuals, unless it is permitted by applicable laws and regulations, including HIPAA. These regulations may differ according to region. The information is only used for purposes approved by the department of health in the state. All employees who are part of the birth defect surveillance program must sign a confidentiality contract and receive instruction on how to handle confidential information.

Prescription Drugs

The risks of certain birth defects can be identified before a child is born via prenatal ultrasounds, blood tests and amniocentesis (obtaining the sample of amniotic fluid from the fetus). Women with higher risk pregnancies might be offered more in-depth screening options due to the family history or maternal age.

Many over-the counter and prescription medicines can cause serious adverse effects when used by women who are pregnant. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and those who prescribe these medicines have obligations to inform physicians of the potential risks and, if they fail to take this step, they may be held responsible for any resulting birth injuries.

Due to birth defects Due to birth defects, medical, hospital and pharmaceutical charges can quickly mount up, especially if the defect is severe and requires continuous treatment. It is essential to keep all receipts and bills and credit card information, and other documentation that proves your damages and right to compensation.

Some birth defects can be corrected via surgery. Others could be permanent, affecting the affected individual throughout his or her life, causing disabilities and limitations. A knowledgeable, sympathetic birth defect lawyer can help families obtain the proper compensation they are entitled to. You should make a claim as soon you discover that your child is suffering from an abnormal birth.

Environmental Exposure

There are a variety of environmental causes of birth defects. These can include prescription or over-the-counter drugs as well as chemical exposure at work or at home. Sometimes, the causes are difficult to identify. If a large number of children with the same defect are born during the same time frame and location, this is called a birth defect "cluster".

A medical malpractice attorney should be consulted if there is any suspicion of a cause of a birth defect or birth injury. A medical malpractice attorney who is experienced and compassionate can assist families in obtaining the compensation they deserve so that their child's birth defect or injury won't have lifelong negative consequences.

Many states have laws requiring the recording of birth defects. This includes the capture of data from hospital discharge records. The data can be used to detect anomalies and trends.

This information may also be gathered using other programs, such as: