Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Legal Team

The discovery that your child has a birth defect is among the most frightening and confusing situations you'll be faced with. It's crucial to reach out to an experienced birth defect lawsuits defect legal team as soon as you can.

A lawyer can explain the causes of a birth defect as well as how to file a lawsuit in order to get compensation for your child.

Causes of Birth Defects

Birth defects are structural changes in the body that impact the way it appears or performs. They can happen at any point during pregnancy, but the majority occur in the first 3 months. Some are obvious, while others are only detected by a doctor. They can vary in severity from mild to severe.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetic defects. They occur when an individual gene is altered (mutated) or is missing. Some genes are inherited from parents, but other genes are acquired from the environment. Environmental factors can include drinking alcohol, smoking or taking certain medications during pregnancy. Exposure to harmful chemicals can also increase the risk of having a birth defect.

Certain birth defects can be treated however, the majority of birth defects cannot be treated. These can include surgery, medicines, and special home care. Surgery can correct some birth defects like the cleft palate and lips, as well as spina-bifida. The use of medicine can treat other problems, like Tay-Sachs and patent ductus artery.

Women who drink alcohol or smoke during pregnancy are at a higher chance of having a baby with birth defect. Women with a family history of a birth defect are at higher risk of having a child with a birth defect as well. It is important to discuss with your physician the possibility of having a child who has a birth deformity.

Medical Malpractice

In many cases, birth defects are often caused by medical negligence during pregnancy or delivery. A New York birth defects lawyer can assist parents in filing an action for malpractice against the medical doctor or other professionals responsible for the child's condition.

A doctor might have negligently prescribed medication during pregnancy to the mother, which increased the chance of the baby being born with a specific defect. If the child is suffering from a severe mental deficiency because of that medication, the child can receive disability benefits from the government to help meet their needs.

The medical professional or hospital also might not have been able to spot an identified birth defect in the mother during fetal screening. If the doctor failed to conduct the test or discuss the results with parents or the hospital, they could be responsible for wrongful birth claims.

Midwives, medical facilities and health professionals are required to divulge and report medical records relating to birth defects. The information could also be used to detect patterns and clusters, and possible causes. The information is not available to the public or other individuals unless allowed by applicable laws and regulations, like HIPAA. These regulations could differ based on jurisdiction. The information is only used for purposes that are approved by the department of health of the state. In addition the employees who are involved in the monitoring of birth defects must sign confidentiality agreements and be educated on how to handle confidential information.

Prescription Drugs

The risk of certain birth defects can be identified prior to the birth of a child through prenatal ultrasounds and blood tests and amniocentesis (obtaining an amniocentesis sample of the amniotic fluid of the fetus). These more detailed screening options can be provided to women who are at greater risk of having a pregnancies due to an antecedent history with the mother or her advanced maternal age.

Many prescription or over-thecounter medicines can cause serious side effects for pregnant women. The pharmaceutical companies and those who prescribe these medications are under an obligation to warn doctors of the potential risks and if they fail to do so, they can be held accountable for the resulting birth injuries.

Hospital, medical and pharmaceutical costs can add up quickly as a result of an anomaly in the birth, particularly severe ones that require continuous treatment and care. It is crucial to keep all receipts, bills, credit card records, and other evidence that proves your losses and your right to compensation.

Certain birth defects can be corrected by surgery. Some birth defects are irreparable and can affect the person for the rest of their lives, causing significant disabilities and limitations. A skilled, compassionate birth defect lawyer can assist families receive the proper compensation they are entitled to. You should start a claim as soon you realize that your child is suffering from an anomaly in their birth.

Environmental Exposure

Birth defects can be caused by a variety of environmental factors. These include prescription or over the counter medications and exposure to chemicals at work or at home. These causes can be difficult to determine. If a large number of babies are born with the same condition in a certain time period or location, it is called a "cluster".

A medical malpractice attorney should be sought out if there is any suspicion of a cause of a birth defect or birth injury. A medical malpractice lawyer who is experienced and compassionate can help families get the money they deserve to ensure that their child's birth defect or injury won't have lifelong negative consequences.

Many states have laws that require the tracking of birth defects. This includes the collection of data from hospital discharge records. The data can be used to spot patterns and anomalies.

This information can be collected and shared through various programs including: