Birth Defect Law

Birth issues and injuries can be caused by a number of factors. These conditions can be prevented in a variety of cases.

Often, they are caused by medical negligence during pregnancy. Chemical exposure is a further cause. Workers working in beauty salons and paint factories, as well as cleaning operations for metal are at risk of developing these types of defects.

Causes

Birth defects are structural issues that impact one or more parts of the body. They can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Each year, around 1 out of 33 babies are born with a birth defect.

It can be devastating for parents and other family members when a baby is born without a birth defect. Certain birth defects are passed down from a parent's genes while others are caused by a number of factors, such as obstetrical problems, medication side-effects or toxins, as well as infections.

Studies and birth defect attorneys have found that a number of the causes of birth defects can be traced back to environmental factors, such as medications that are not properly prescribed by doctors 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 Defect Attorney deformities could have been prevented with the right treatment.

Symptoms

Birth defects can alter the way your body looks and functions. It can be structural (such as the lip or cleft palate) or involve genetic changes. For instance, Down syndrome, is caused by an extra chromosome. Certain medical and environmental factors can contribute to this condition as well.

Some birth defects are very noticeable, like mouths or lips that have clefts, while others are less obvious. Some of them are the delayed response to sound, or a failure to reach developmental goals like crawling and sitting up.

Birth injuries can be caused by an anomaly in the birth process or may happen during birth and labor. For example a caput sucedaneum is swelling of the infant's head due to pressure from a head first delivery. These injuries can be difficult to identify, particularly when they manifest themselves as a decrease in heart rate or oxygen levels that are low, or crying.

Treatment

If your child has a birth defect there are many treatment options to treat the problem. These include surgery, medication and other specialized treatments.

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

Many different health care specialists can treat a baby with a birth defect including pediatricians, family practice physicians and neonatologists. If your baby was born with a severe birth deformity, such as club foot, you may need to speak with an orthopedic surgeon or limb surgical specialist.

If your doctor did not fulfill the obligation of care owed to you during your pregnancy and that breach caused the birth defect of your child and you are able to pursue a medical malpractice claim. It is the obligation of pharmaceutical companies and doctors prescribing certain drugs to warn women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant about the potential of birth defects. This includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications have been linked with a variety of health issues, including birth defect.

Damages

Medical professionals must take all the necessary precautions to ensure that infants do not suffer from birth defects or injuries. Parents may be entitled to compensation if medical professionals do not take the proper precautions.

Based on the severity of the birth defect or injury, there are many different kinds of damages that may result. An attorney can help you decide which damages to seek.

The CDC annually reports that one baby in 33 is born with a defect. These conditions range from cleft lips to missing limbs and could have long-lasting and severe effects.

You must act swiftly to start a claim in the event that your child has an anomaly in the birth due to medical malpractice. The time limit for filing a claim will expire soon. A Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyer can help you. A legal consultation can help you understand how much your case could be worth.

Statute of Limitations

You may be able to file a lawsuit if your child suffers from a birth defect, or an injury which could have been easily avoided by negligence on the part of medical professionals. There are strict deadlines, referred to as statutes and limitations which you must follow in order to avoid having your claim being dismissed.

Birth defects are abnormalities that affect a newborn infant. They can lead to physical or mental disabilities, and even death. These cases fall into different areas of law, including medical malpractice, products liability and employment law. Thalidomide, for example, caused fetal defects in the past, and led to class action lawsuits against the manufacturer.

Although birth defects are a nagging part of life, they are often prevented. This is why medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors are crucial to safeguard patients.

Locating an Attorney

Despite the fact that medical and technological advancements have drastically reduced the risk of pregnancy and birth, certain birth defects can still occur. Parents who are shocked discover that their child was afflicted by an injury or defect that was caused by birth are legally entitled to compensation.

According to the CDC birth defects can affect any aspect of the infant's anatomy and have a profound impact on their appearance and function. Some of these diseases are not evident until the child is born or even later in the development of. Many of these disorders could be due to medical malpractice.

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