Birth Defect Law

Birth injuries and defects can result from a range of causes. In many instances, these issues are avoidable.

Often, they are caused by medical negligence during pregnancy. Chemical exposure is a different cause. People who work in beauty salons and paint factories as well, as those who work in metal cleaning operations face an increased risk of developing these types of defects.

Causes

Birth defects are structural anomalies that affect one or more of the parts. The severity of the defects can vary from mild to life-threatening. Approximately 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect each year.

It can be heartbreaking for parents and other family members when a baby is born without an anomaly in the birth. Some birth defects are inherited by a parent's genetic make-up, while others are caused by a range of causes including obstetrical problems or medication side effects, infections or toxins.

Studies and birth defect attorneys have found that a number of birth defects can be traced back to environmental factors, such as medications that are negligently prescribed by doctors, toxic chemicals in the workplace and at home, as well as pollutants that affect the environment. During 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 avoided by taking the proper care.

Signs and symptoms

Birth defects can affect the way your body appears and functions. It can be structural (such as a cleft palate or lip) or involve genetic changes. A chromosome extra is the reason for Down syndrome. Medical and environmental factors can contribute to the condition.

Some birth defects are very evident, such as cleft lips or palates, while others are more subtle. Some of them include an inability to respond to sounds, or a lack of ability to reach developmental goals such as crawling and sitting up.

Birth injuries can result from an anomaly in the birth process or may happen during birth and labor. For example a caput sucedaneum is a swelling of the newborn's head due to pressure from a head-first delivery. These injuries are difficult to spot, especially when they manifest as a slow heart rate and low oxygen levels or crying.

Treatment

If your child is suffering from a birth defect there are many treatment options to improve the condition. This includes surgery, medication as well as specialized therapy.

According to the CDC, birth defects can affect any body part and influence how that part appears or functions. They can also impact the life span of your child.

A newborn with a birth defect can be treated by many health care professionals, including pediatricians as well as family practice doctors. If your baby is suffering from a serious birth defect, like club foot, you could require a limb specialist or orthopedic surgeon.

You can file a medical malpractice lawsuit if the doctor violated the duty of your care during pregnancy, and this breach caused your child to be born with defects. Doctors and pharmaceutical companies who prescribe certain drugs are required to inform women who are pregnant of the possibility of birth defects, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications have been linked to a number of health issues, including birth defect.

Damages

Medical professionals must be vigilant to ensure that infants do not have birth injuries or defects. Parents may be legally entitled to compensation in the event that doctors fail to take the necessary precautions.

Depending on the degree of the birth defect or injury There are a variety of types of damages that could result. An attorney can help decide on the damages you should seek.

The CDC says that each year one in 33 infants is born with an anomaly in the birth. These issues vary from lips that are cleft to missing limbs and can have long-lasting and serious effects.

If your child has suffered an birth defect attorneys defect due to medical malpractice, it's imperative that you act swiftly to make a claim before the statute of limitations expires. A Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyer can help you. A consultation with a lawyer will help you determine the value of your case.

Statute of Limitations

If your child suffers from a birth defect or injury which could have been prevented by medical negligence, you might be able to file a claim. There are strict deadlines, known as statutes and limitations that you must comply with in order to avoid having your claim being dismissed.

Birth defects are abnormalities that affect infants. They can cause physical or mental impairments and even death. These cases fall into different legal areas, including medical malpractice, products liability and employment law. The drug Thalidomide, for instance, was responsible for causing fetal defects in the past and resulted in class action lawsuits against its maker.

Although birth defects are a sad aspect of life, they're often preventable. This is why medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors are crucial to protect patients.

Find an attorney

Although modern technology and advancements in medicine have greatly reduced the risk that come with pregnancy and birth, some birth defects remain. Stunned parents could be entitled to compensation in the event that they discover that their child suffered from a preventable birth defect or injury.

According to the CDC birth defects can affect any aspect of the baby's anatomy. They can have a profound effect on their appearance and function. Certain of these conditions are not visible until the baby is born, or later in the life of the baby. Many of these disorders may be linked to medical malpractice.

An experienced and compassionate medical malpractice attorney can assist your family recover the damages that you are owed for your child's injuries. Those damages include emergency surgery and long-term medical treatment including medication, physical therapy and special education expenses, as well as other expenses relating to the child's disability.