Birth Defect Law
Birth injuries and defects are caused by a variety of factors. In many cases, these problems are preventable.
They are usually caused by medical malpractice during pregnancy. Other causes include chemical exposure. Workers working in beauty salons and paint factories, as well as metal cleaning operations, are at a higher risk of developing these types of defects.
Causes
Birth defects are structural abnormalities that impact some or all of the body. The severity of the defects can range from mild to life-threatening. Each year, about 1 out of 33 babies is born with a birth defect.
If a child is born with a birth defect, it can be devastating for parents and relatives. Some
birth defect attorney defects are inherited by a parent's genetic make-up, while others are caused by a range of causes including obstetrical problems as well as medication side effects infections, or toxins.
Studies and
birth defect attorneys have proven that some of birth defects can be traced back to environmental causes, including drugs that are not prescribed by physicians and toxic chemicals at home and workplace, and pollutants that affect the environment. In the Vietnam War mothers were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange which caused birth defects in their children. Unfortunately, many of these birth defects could be prevented with the appropriate care.
Signs and symptoms
A birth defect can affect the way that a person looks or works. It can be structural like a mouth or lip cleft, or it may be due to genetic changes. For instance, Down syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome. Certain medication and environmental factors can contribute to this condition as well.
Some birth defects are evident, such as mouths or lips that have clefts, while others are less obvious. They can be a slow response to sound or an inability to reach developmental milestones, like sitting up and crawling.
Birth injuries can be caused by a birth defect or may happen during labor and birth. For example a caput sucedaneum is an increase in the size of the newborn's head as a result of pressure from head first delivery. Sometimes these injuries may be difficult to discern, particularly when they manifest as lower heart rate, low oxygen levels, or the drooling.
Treatment
If your child is suffering from a
birth defect there are a variety of treatment options available to improve the condition. These include surgery, medication and specialized therapy.
According to the CDC Birth defects can affect any body part and influence how that part looks or functions. They can also impact the lifespan of your child.
Many different health care professionals can help a newborn with a birth defect, including pediatricians, family practice physicians, and neonatologists. If your baby is born with a serious birth defect, such as club foot, then you might need to see an orthopedic surgeon or limb surgeon.
You could file a medical malpractice suit if your doctor violated the duty of care you received during pregnancy, and the breach caused your child to be born with defects. Medical professionals and pharmaceutical companies that prescribe certain drugs must be aware of women of childbearing ages of the possibility of birth defects, for example selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs have been linked with a variety of health issues including birth defects.
Damages
Medical professionals must take all precautions to ensure that infants do not suffer from birth defects or injuries. Parents could be entitled to compensation if medical professionals are not taking the necessary precautions.
Based on the degree of the birth defect or injury There are a variety of types of damages that can result. An attorney can help you decide on the damages you should seek.
The CDC publishes each year that one baby in 33 is born with an issue. These conditions range from lips clefts to missing limbs, and can have severe and long-lasting effects.
You must act swiftly to file a claim if your child suffers from an anomaly in the birth due to medical malpractice. The time limit for filing a claim will expire soon. A Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorney can help you. A consultation with a lawyer can aid you in understanding what your case might be worth.
Statute of Limitations
If your child suffers from a birth defect or injury that could have been prevented through medical negligence, you may be entitled to a legal remedy. However there are strict deadlines - referred to as statutes of limitations - that you must adhere to otherwise your case will be dismissed.
Birth defects are abnormalities that affect a newborn infant. They can lead to physical or mental disabilities and even death. These cases fall under several different areas of law, including medical malpractice, products liability, and employment law. The drug Thalidomide, for instance, was responsible for causing fetal defects in the past and led to class-action suits against its maker.
Birth defects are a sad part of life but they can often be prevented. This is the reason medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors are essential to protect patients.
Finding an attorney
Although modern technology and advancements in medicine have drastically reduced the risks associated with pregnancy and birth however, birth defects remain. Parents who are shocked to discover that their child has suffered an injury or birth defect can be legally entitled to compensation.
According to the CDC birth defects can affect any region of an infant's anatomy and have a profound impact on their appearance and function. Some of these disorders are undetectable until the baby is born, or later in life. Many of these conditions are linked to medical malpractice.
A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help your family to recover the damages that you are owed for your child's injuries. These damages can include emergency surgeries and long-term medical treatment including medication, physical therapy, special education costs and other expenses associated with the child's disability.