Birth Defect Law

Birth injuries and birth defects can result from a range of causes. These conditions can be prevented in many cases.

They are often caused by medical malpractice while pregnant. Chemical exposure is a different cause. Beauty salon workers and paint factories and also metal cleaning operations, are at a higher chance of developing these deformities.

Causes

Birth defects are structural issues that impact some or all of the body. The severity of these defects can vary from mild to life-threatening. Approximately 1 out of 33 babies is born with a birth defect each year.

If a child is born with a birth defect it can be devastating for parents and their family members. Some birth defects are inherited through the genes of a parent, while others can be caused by a number of causes, including problems with obstetrics and pregnancy, side-effects of medications or toxins, as well as infections.

Birth defect attorneys and studies have found that a number of birth defects can be attributed to environmental causes, including medications that are not properly prescribed by physicians as well as toxic chemicals found in the workplace and at home, as well as contaminants that pollute the environment. During the Vietnam War, mothers were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, which resulted in birth defects in children. Unfortunately, a lot of these birth deformities could have been prevented with the proper care.

Symptoms

A birth defect may affect how the body appears or functions. It can be structural like a lip or palate cleft or it could be caused by genetic changes. A chromosome additional is responsible for Down syndrome. Certain medical and environmental factors can cause this condition, as well.

Some birth defects are extremely noticeable, like cleft lips or palates however others are less obvious. They can be a slow response to sound or inability to meet developmental milestones, such as standing up and crawling.

A birth injury may be caused by a birth defect or it can occur during birth, such as a caput succedaneum (a swelling on the scalp of a newborn due to pressure during a head-first delivery). Sometimes these injuries may be difficult to identify, especially when they show up as decreased heart rate, lower oxygen levels, or the drooling.

Treatment

If your child was born with a birth defect there are treatment options which can improve his or her condition. These include surgery, medication and specialized therapies.

Birth problems can affect any part or function of the body, according to the CDC. They can also affect the life span of your child.

Many different health care professionals can help a newborn with a birth defect, including pediatricians, family medicine doctors and neonatologists. If your baby is suffering from a serious birth defect, like club foot, you might require a limb specialist or orthopedic surgeon.

You could file a medical malpractice lawsuit if the doctor violated the duty of your care during pregnancy, and this violation resulted in your child's birth defects. It is the duty of both the pharmaceutical industry and doctors who prescribe certain drugs to warn women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant about the risk of birth defect. This includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications are linked to many health issues, including birth defects.

Damages

Medical professionals must take every precaution to ensure that babies aren't born with birth defects or injuries. If doctors fail to follow this procedure parents may be entitled to compensation to compensate their costs.

There are different types of damages based upon the severity of an injury or birth defect. An attorney can help decide which damages to seek.

The CDC reports that every year one in 33 infants is born with an anomaly in the birth. These issues vary from lips that are cleft to missing limbs, and can have serious and lasting consequences.

If your child was affected by a birth defect because of medical malpractice, it is imperative to act quickly to submit a claim before the statute of limitations expires. A Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyer can assist you. A consultation with a lawyer can help you understand how much your case may be worth.

Statute of limitations

If your child is suffering from an illness or defect that is a result of birth that could have been prevented by medical negligence, you may have a legal claim. There are strict deadlines, known as statutes or limitations that you must adhere to in order to prevent your case being dismissed.

Birth defects are abnormalities that affect newborn babies. They can lead to physical or mental disabilities and even death. These cases fall within different areas of law, including medical negligence, products liability, and employment law. For instance Thalidomide, a prescription drug, caused fetal defects a few years ago and led to mass lawsuits against its maker.

Birth defects are a sad part of life but they can be avoided. Medical malpractice lawsuits are essential to protect patients.

Finding an attorney

Despite the fact that medical technology and technological advancements have drastically reduced the risks of pregnancy and birth, certain birth defects can still occur. Stunned parents could be entitled to compensation if they find that their child suffered from a birth defect that could have been prevented or injury.

According to the CDC birth defects can affect any part of the body of an infant and have a profound impact on their appearance and performance. Some of these diseases are not apparent until the baby is born, or later in the course of. Many of these disorders may be caused by medical malpractice.

A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can assist your family get the compensation you're due. Those damages include emergency surgery and long-term medical treatment such as physical therapy, medication as well as special education costs, among other expenses relating to the child's impairment.