Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Legal Team

Finding out that your child is suffering from an abnormal birth defect is among the most frightening and confusing experiences you'll ever face. Contacting a legal team for birth defects with experience is important immediately.

A lawyer can inform you the causes of birth defects and also how to file a suit to get compensation on behalf of your child.

Causes of Birth Defects

Birth defects are structural changes that affect the way the body appears or functions. They can happen anytime during pregnancy, however they tend to occur in the first three months. Some are obvious, while others can only be identified by a health care provider. They can vary in severity, from mild to severe.

Genetic abnormalities are responsible for the majority of birth defects. They occur when a gene is altered (mutates) or is not present altogether. The majority of genes are passed on from parents to children, however, some are inherited from the environment. Environmental factors include smoking, drinking during pregnancy, or taking certain medications. Exposure to harmful chemicals can increase the risk of having a birth defect.

There is no cure to the majority of birth defects, however there are treatments that can aid with certain problems. Some of the treatments are surgery, medication, and specialized home care. Certain birth defects, like Cleft lip and palate, as well as spina bifida, are corrected by surgery. The use of medicine can treat other problems, like Tay-Sachs and patent ductus artery.

Women who drink alcohol, smoke or both during pregnancy have an increased chance of having children with birth defects. Women who have a history birth defects in their families are also at risk. It is important to discuss with your doctor the possibility of having a child born with a birth deformity.

Medical Malpractice

In many instances birth defects result from medical negligence during pregnancy or delivery. A New York birth defects lawyer can assist parents in filing a malpractice lawsuit against the doctor or other medical professionals who caused the child's condition.

A doctor could have mistakenly prescribed medication to the mother, which increased the likelihood of the baby having a certain defect. If the child suffers from a serious mental disorder due to the medication, the child could receive government disability benefits to meet their requirements.

The medical professional or hospital also may not have detected a birth defect that was known to the mother during the fetal screening. If the doctor did not perform testing or discuss the results with the parents or the hospital, they could be responsible for claims based on wrongful birth.

Health professionals, medical facilities and midwives are required to reveal and report medical records related to birth defects. The information is used for birth defects surveillance activities as well as to detect patterns, clusters and possible causes. This information cannot be divulged to the public or any other individuals unless allowed by applicable laws and regulations, such as HIPAA. These regulations can differ based on the area of. The information is only used for purposes approved by the state department of health. Additionally all employees who are involved in birth defects surveillance must sign confidentiality agreements and be instructed on the appropriate handling of confidential information.

Prescription Drugs

The possibility of birth defects can be detected prior to the birth of a baby through prenatal ultrasounds, amniocentesis or blood tests (obtaining a sample of amniotic fluid in the fetus). Women with higher risk pregnancies might be given these more thorough screening options due to an ancestral history or advanced maternal age.

Certain prescription or over-the-counter medications can trigger serious adverse effects in pregnant women. Pharmaceutical companies and those who prescribe these medications are required to warn doctors of the risks. If they fail to do so, they may be held accountable for birth injuries.

Medical, hospital and pharmaceutical costs can add quickly as a result of birth defects, particularly severe ones that require continuous treatment and care. It is crucial to keep track of all bills, receipts and credit card payment records and other documentation of your damages and right to compensation.

Most birth defects are diagnosed prior to the birth of the baby or shortly after and are able to be corrected with surgery. Some birth defects are permanent and can affect the person for the rest of their life leading to significant disabilities and limitations. A birth defect lawyer who is knowledgeable and understanding can help families receive the compensation they deserve. You must begin a claim as quickly you realize that your child has an anomaly in their birth.

Environmental Exposure

There are many environmental causes of birth defects. These include prescription or over-the-counter drugs in addition to exposure to chemicals at work or at home. Sometimes, the cause is difficult to identify. But when too many babies with the same defect are born during a specific time period and location, this is known as a birth defects "cluster".

A medical malpractice lawyer is recommended if there is a suspected cause of birth defect or injury. A knowledgeable and empathetic medical malpractice lawyer can assist families get the amount of compensation they are entitled to so that their child's birth defect or birth injury will not cause permanent negative effects.

A number of states have laws that require the recording of birth defects. This includes the capture of information from hospital discharge records. It can then be used to detect trends, anomalies and possible clusters.

The information could also be gathered through other programs, for instance: