Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Legal Team

It can be a terrifying and confusing experience to discover that your child is born with a birth deformity. Contacting a legal team for birth defects with experience is important as soon as you can.

A lawyer can inform you the reasons for birth defects and how to file a suit to claim damages on behalf of your child.

Causes of Birth Defects

Birth defects are structural changes that affect how the body looks or works. They can happen at any time during pregnancy, however they tend to occur in the first three months. Some are visible while others are only detected by a health professional. They can be severe or mild from mild to severe.

Most birth problems are caused by genetic anomalies. They occur when the gene is altered (mutated) or is absent. Certain genes are passed down from parents, whereas others are acquired from the environment. Environmental factors could include smoking, drinking alcohol or taking certain medications during pregnancy. Exposure to harmful chemicals may also increase the risk of a birth defect law firm defect.

There is no cure for most birth defects, however there are treatments that can aid with certain problems. Some of treatments include surgery, medicines, and home care that is specifically tailored to the patient. Some birth defects, like Cleft lip and the palate and spina Bifida, can be corrected with surgery. Medical treatments can be used to treat other issues, such as Tay-Sachs and patent duodenal artery.

Women who drink alcohol, smoke or both during pregnancy are at an increased chance of having children born with birth defects. Women with a history of birth defects in their families are also more at risk. It is essential to discuss with your physician the possibility of having a child who has a birth deformity.

Medical Malpractice

In many instances birth defects result from medical negligence during pregnancy or birth. A New York birth defects lawyer can help parents file a malpractice lawsuit against the doctor or other medical professionals that caused the child's condition.

A doctor could have mistakenly prescribed medication during pregnancy to the mother that increased the likelihood of the baby being born with a particular defect. If the child suffers from a severe mental disability due to the medication, they can be eligible for government assistance to help with their needs.

A medical professional or hospital may also have failed to detect an birth defect that was present during the fetal screening was conducted. If the doctor did not do the testing or discuss the results with the parents they could be liable for claims based on wrongful birth.

Medical facilities, health professionals and midwives are required to reveal and report medical records relating to birth defects. This information can be used for birth defects surveillance activities, as well as to identify patterns, clusters and possible causes. This information cannot be disclosed to the general public or other people unless authorized by applicable laws and regulations, including HIPAA. These regulations can vary depending on the area of. The information is only used for purposes that are approved by the department of health for the state. Additionally all employees involved in birth defects surveillance must sign confidentiality agreements and be educated on the appropriate handling of confidential information.

Prescription Drugs

The danger of certain birth defects can be detected prior to the birth of a child via prenatal ultrasounds, amniocentesis or blood tests (obtaining a sample of amniotic fluid in the fetus). These more precise screening methods are offered to women who are at greater risk of having a pregnancies due to an antecedent history with the mother or her advancing age.

A variety of over-the-counter as well as prescription medications can have serious side effects when taken by women who are pregnant. The pharmaceutical manufacturers and those who prescribe these medications are required to inform doctors about the risks. If they fail to take this step, they may be held accountable for birth injuries.

Hospital, medical and pharmaceutical bills can add up quickly as a result of birth defects, particularly severe ones that require continuous treatment and care. It is essential to keep all receipts, bills and credit card records and other documentation that proves your losses and your right to compensation.

Most birth defects are diagnosed before the baby is born or shortly thereafter and can be fixed with surgery. Some birth defects are permanent and can affect the person for the rest of their life, causing significant disabilities and limitations. A knowledgeable, empathetic birth defect lawyer can assist families obtain the justice they deserve. If you suspect that your child was born with a birth defect it is important to submit a claim before the statute of limitations expires.

Environmental Exposure

There are a myriad of environmental causes of birth defects. These can include prescription or over-the-counter drugs as well as chemical exposure at workplace or at home. These causes are often difficult to pinpoint. But when too many babies with the same defect are born within a specific time period and location, this is known as a birth defects "cluster".

If there is any doubt that an injury to a child's birth or defect was caused by medical negligence, a medical malpractice lawyer should be consulted. A knowledgeable and empathetic medical malpractice lawyer can assist families obtain the amount of compensation they are entitled to so that their child's birth defect or birth injury will not have lifelong negative effects.

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

This information can also be collected through other programs, for instance: