Birth Defect Law

Birth injuries and birth defects can be caused by a variety of factors. In many instances, these issues are avoidable.

They are often caused by medical negligence during pregnancy. Other causes include exposure to chemicals. Workers in beauty salons or paint factories as well as in metal cleaning operations are at the risk of developing defects.

Causes

Birth defects are structural anomalies that affect one or more of the parts. The severity of these problems may range from mild to life-threatening. Each year, about 1 in 33 babies is born with a birth deformity.

When a baby is born with a birth defect it can be extremely distressing for parents and other family members. Some birth defects are inherited by a parent's genes while others can be caused by a variety of factors, such as issues with obstetrics, medication side effects or toxins, as well as infections.

Birth defect attorneys and studies have found that a number of birth defects are due to environmental causes, including medications that are negligently prescribed by physicians as well as toxic chemicals found 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 resulted in birth defects in children. Unfortunately, a lot of these birth deformities could have been prevented with the right treatment.

Symptoms

Birth defects can alter the way your body appears and functions. It could be a structural issue (such as the lip or cleft palate) or result from genetic changes. A chromosome extra is the reason for the Down syndrome. Certain medication and environmental factors can contribute to this condition as well.

Some birth defects are evident, such as the cleft palate or lips however others are less obvious. These include a slow response to sound or inability to meet developmental milestones, like climbing up and sitting.

A birth injury may be caused by an abnormality in the birth or it could happen during birth, such as the caput succedaneum (a swelling on a newborn's scalp due to pressure during a head-first birth). Sometimes, these injuries can be difficult to detect, especially when they are manifested as lowered heart rate, poor oxygen levels, or crying.

Treatment

If your child is affected by an abnormal birth defect, there are many treatment options to treat the problem. These include surgery, medications, and specialized treatments.

Birth defects can affect any area or function of the body, as per the CDC. They can also impact the life span of your child.

A variety of health specialists can treat a baby with a birth defect including pediatricians, family practice doctors and neonatologists. If your baby has an extremely serious birth defect, such as club foot, you may require an orthopedic or limb specialist surgeon.

If your doctor breached the duty of care owed to you during pregnancy and that breach caused your child's birth defect, you could pursue a medical malpractice claim. It is the duty of both doctors and pharmaceutical companies prescribing certain medicines to inform women who are pregnant or planning to be pregnant about the dangers of birth defect. This includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs have been linked with a variety of health issues such as birth defects.

Damages

Medical professionals must take all necessary precautions to ensure that babies do not suffer from birth defects and injuries. Parents could be entitled to compensation if doctors are not taking the necessary precautions.

There are various types of damages, based on the severity of an birth defect or injury. An attorney can assist you determine which damages to pursue.

The CDC says that each year one in 33 babies is born with birth defects. These problems range from lips with clefts to missing limbs, and they can have serious and lasting effects.

It is imperative to act fast to start a claim in the event that your child suffers from a birth defect as a result of medical malpractice. The statute of limitations is set to expire in the near future. A Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorney can assist you. A consultation with a lawyer will help you determine the worth of your case.

Statute of Limitations

If your child suffers from a birth defect or injury which could have been prevented through medical negligence, you may be entitled to a legal remedy. There are strict deadlines, also known as statutes and limitations which you must follow so that you don't risk your claim being dismissed.

A birth defect is an anomaly that affects infants and may cause physical or mental disabilities as well as death. These cases fall under different areas of law, such as medical malpractice, products liability and employment law. For instance Thalidomide, a prescription drug, caused fetal defects decades ago and led to class action suits against its manufacturer.

Although birth defects are a nagging part of life, they are usually preventable. Medical malpractice lawsuits are essential to protect patients.

Find an attorney

While modern technology and advances in the medical field have drastically reduced the risks associated with pregnancy and birth however, birth defects are still possible. Parents who are shocked may be entitled to compensation if they find that their child suffered from a preventable birth defect or injury.

According to the CDC, birth defects can affect any part of an infant's body, and can have a profound effect on their appearance and function. Some of these diseases may not be recognized until after the birth of the baby or even after. Many of these disorders can be due to medical malpractice.

A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and skilled can help you and your family get the damages you're owed. The damages can include emergency surgery and long-term medical treatment, medication, physical therapy and special education expenses, as well as other costs related to the child's impairment.