Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Legal Team

Being aware that your child is suffering from a birth defect is among the most frightening and confusing experiences you'll ever endure. It's important to contact an experienced legal team as soon as you can.

A lawyer can explain the causes of a birth defect and how to file a lawsuit to obtain damages for your child.

Birth Defects and Causes

Birth defects are structural issues that alter the way the body appears or functions. They can occur at any point during pregnancy, however the majority occur during the first three month. Some are visible, while others are detected only by a healthcare provider. They can range in severity from mild to severe.

Genetic abnormalities are responsible for the majority of birth problems. These occur when a gene is altered (mutated) or absent. The majority of genes are passed down from parents to children however, some are inherited from the environment. Some environmental triggers include smoking, drinking during pregnancy or taking certain medications. Exposure to harmful chemicals can increase the risk of having a birth defect.

Some birth defects can be corrected, but most cannot. This can include surgery, medicines, and special home care. Surgery can correct certain birth defects such as lip and palate clefts and spina-bifida. The use of medicine can treat other issues, such as Tay-Sachs or patent ductus artery.

Women who smoke, drink alcohol or both during pregnancy have an increased chance of having children born with birth defects. Women who have a family history of a birth defect are at greater risk as well. It is essential to discuss with your doctor the possibility of having a child born with a birth defect.

Medical Malpractice

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

A doctor may have mistakenly prescribed medication during pregnancy to the mother that increased the chances of the baby being born with a particular defect. If the child suffers from a severe mental impairment because of the medication, they could receive government benefits to help them with their needs.

The medical professional or hospital could not have detected an identifiable birth defect in the mother during the fetal screening. If the doctor failed to perform testing or discuss the results with parents or the hospital, they could be responsible for claims based on wrongful birth.

Midwives, medical facilities, and health professionals are required to disclose medical records that relate to birth defects. This information may also be used to determine patterns and clusters, and possible causes. This information cannot be disclosed to the general public or to other individuals, unless it is permitted by applicable laws and regulations, including HIPAA. These regulations can vary depending on the jurisdiction. The information is only used for authorized purposes by the department of the state. In addition all employees involved in birth defects surveillance must sign confidentiality agreements and receive training on how to handle confidential information.

Prescription Drugs

The risks of certain birth defects can be detected prior to the birth of a child via prenatal ultrasounds, amniocentesis and blood tests (obtaining an amniocentesis sample of the amniotic fluid in the fetus). Women who have higher risk of pregnancies could be offered these more in-depth screening options due to an ancestral history or advanced maternal age.

Many prescription or over-thecounter medicines can trigger serious adverse effects for pregnant women. Pharmaceutical companies and the doctors who prescribe these drugs have an obligation to warn doctors of the potential risks and if they fail to do so, they could be held responsible for any resulting birth injuries.

Due to birth defects due to birth defects, medical, hospital and pharmaceutical expenses can quickly accumulate particularly when the defect is serious and requires a lifetime of treatment. It is important to collect all receipts as well as bills, credit card records, and other documentation that demonstrates your damages and right to compensation.

Some birth defects can be corrected through surgery. Some birth defects are irreparable and affect the person for their entire lives which can cause significant disabilities and limitations. A compassionate, knowledgeable birth defect lawyer can assist families obtain the amount of compensation they deserve. You should make a claim as soon when you suspect your child is suffering from a birth defect.

Environmental Exposure

There are numerous environmental causes of birth defects. These range from prescription or over-the counter medications to exposure to chemicals in the workplace or in homes. Sometimes, the causes are difficult to pinpoint. When a lot of babies with the same defect are born within the same time frame and place, it is known as a birth defects "cluster".

If there is any reason to believe that an injury to a child's birth or defect was the result of medical malpractice A medical malpractice lawyer should be consulted. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help families attain the benefits they are entitled to so that the birth defect or birth injury will not be a permanent negative impact.

Many states have laws that require the monitoring of birth defect. This includes the collection of information from the discharge record of a hospital. The information is then used to identify anomalies, trends and potential clusters.

This data can also be gathered using other programs, for instance: