Birth Defect Law

Birth injuries and defects are caused by a number of factors. In many cases, these conditions are easily prevented.

Most often, they are result of medical malpractice in pregnancy. Chemical exposure is a different cause. Those who work in beauty salons or paint factories, as well as metal cleaning operations face a high risk of developing these types of defects.

Causes

Birth defects are structural problems that affect one or more parts of the body. The severity of the defects can range from minor to life-threatening. Every year, approximately 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 their family members. Some birth defects are passed down through genetic inheritance and others are caused by a variety of factors, including obstetrical complications, medication side effects, infections or toxins.

Studies and birth defect attorneys have found that a number of the causes of birth defects can be traced back to environmental causes, including medication that is not properly prescribed by physicians as well as toxic chemicals found in the workplace and at home, as well as toxic substances that can contaminate the environment. During the Vietnam War, mothers were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, which resulted in birth defects in children. Unfortunately, many of these birth defects could be avoided by the proper care.

Symptoms

Birth defects can alter the way your body looks and functions. It could be a structural issue, such as a lip or palate cleft or it could be caused by changes in genes. A chromosome is responsible for the Down syndrome. Certain medical and environmental factors can contribute to this condition too.

Some birth defects are very evident, such as lips or palates that are cleft however others are less obvious. Some of them are an inability to respond to sound, or an inability to reach developmental goals like crawling and sitting up.

A birth injury can be the result of birth defect or could occur during the labor and delivery process or during labor, for example, the caput succedaneum (a swelling on a newborn's scalp due to pressure during a head-first birth). These injuries can be difficult to spot, especially when they manifest as a low heart rate, low oxygen levels, or excessive drooling.

Treatment

If your child has a birth defect there are several treatment options available to treat the problem. These include surgery, medications, and specialized treatments.

Birth defects can affect any area or function of the body, as per the CDC. They can also impact the life span of your child.

A variety of health care professionals can help a newborn with a birth defect including pediatricians, family practitioners and neonatologists. If your baby was born with a deformity that is severe at birth like club foot, you might need to consult an orthopedic surgeon or limb doctor.

You could file a malpractice suit if your doctor violated the duty of care you gave during pregnancy and this breach led to your child's birth defects. Doctors and pharmaceutical companies who prescribe certain medications must be aware of women who are of childbearing age about the risk of birth defects, for example selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs have been linked to a range of health problems including birth defects.

Damages

Medical professionals must take all the necessary precautions to ensure that babies do not suffer from birth defects or injuries. Parents could be entitled to compensation if medical professionals fail to take the appropriate precautions.

Depending on the degree of the birth defect or injury, there are many different kinds of damages that could result. A lawyer can help you determine which damages you should pursue.

The CDC annually reports that one baby in 33 is born with defects. The causes vary from lips with clefts to missing limbs, and can have long-lasting and serious consequences.

If your child suffered an birth defect due to medical malpractice, it's important that you act fast to make a claim before the statute of limitations expires. A Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyer can assist you. A legal consultation can also aid you in understanding how much your case may be worth.

Statute of Limitations

If your child suffers from an injury or defect in the birth process which could have been prevented by medical negligence, then you could have a legal claim. However, there are strict deadlines referred to as statutes of limitation that you must adhere to or your claim will be dismissed.

Birth defects are the result of abnormalities that affect babies. They can cause physical or mental disabilities, and even death. These cases fall within different areas of law, including medical malpractice, products liability and employment law. For instance Thalidomide, a drug, caused fetal birth defects decades ago, which led to class action suits against its manufacturer.

Birth defects are a tragic aspect of life, but they can be avoided. This is why medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors are necessary to safeguard patients.

Find an Attorney

Although advances in technology and advances in medical science have greatly reduced the risks associated with birth and pregnancy however, birth defects remain. Parents who are shocked to discover that their child was affected by a birth defect or injury can be entitled to compensation.

According to the CDC birth defects can affect any aspect of the body of an infant and affect their appearance and function. Some of these diseases are not visible until the baby is born, or later in the development of. Many of these diseases are connected to medical malpractice.

A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can assist your family collect the damages you are owed due to your child's injuries. These injuries include emergency surgery as well as long-term treatment and care. They also include medical expenses, physical therapy, and special education costs.