Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Legal Team

The discovery that your child has a birth defect is among the most terrifying and confusing experiences you can endure. Contacting a birth defect legal team with experience is important as soon as you can.

A lawyer can explain to you the causes of birth defects and the best way to file a suit in order to seek damages on behalf your child.

Causes of Birth Defects

Birth defects are structural changes that alter the way the body looks and functions. They can occur at any point during pregnancy, but most occur in the first three months. Some are visible, and others are only discovered by a healthcare professional. They can vary in severity from mild to severe.

Genetic abnormalities are responsible for the majority of birth problems. They happen when a particular gene alters (mutates) or is missing completely. Most genes are passed from parents to children but some come from the environment. The 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, but there are treatments available to assist with certain problems. Some of the treatments are surgery, medicine, and special home care. Surgery can fix birth defects, including the cleft palate and lips, as well as spina-bifida. Medical treatments can be used to treat other problems, like Tay-Sachs and patent duodenal artery.

Women who smoke or drink alcohol during pregnancy are at an increased chance of having a child with a birth defect. Women with a family history of birth defect are at a higher risk, too. It is important to discuss with your physician the possibility of having a child with a birth defect lawsuit defect.

Medical Malpractice

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

For instance, a doctor could have misjudgedly prescribed medication to the mother during her pregnancy, birth defect which increased the risk of the child being born with a specific defect. If the child suffers from severe mental disabilities because of the medication, they may receive government-funded benefits to help the child with their needs.

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

Medical facilities, health professionals and midwives are required to reveal and report medical records relating to birth defects. This information can be used for monitoring birth defects activities and to identify trends, clusters, and possible causes. This information should not be divulged to any other individual or to the general public unless it is allowed by the applicable laws, regulations and HIPAA. These regulations may differ according to the state of. The information is used only for purposes that are approved by the state department of health. In addition all employees who are who are involved in the monitoring of birth defects must sign a confidentiality agreement and be trained on how to handle confidential information.

Prescription Drugs

The risks of certain birth defects can be detected prior to the birth of a child through prenatal ultrasounds, amniocentesis and blood tests (obtaining samples of amniotic fluid from the fetus). Women with higher-risk pregnancies may be given these more thorough screening options due to an ancestral history or advanced maternal age.

A variety of over-the-counter as well as prescription medicines can cause serious adverse effects when used by pregnant women. The pharmaceutical companies and those who prescribe these drugs have a duty to warn physicians of the risks and, if they fail to comply, birth defect they could be held responsible for any resulting birth injuries.

Due to birth defects due to birth defects, medical, hospital and pharmaceutical bills can quickly mount up particularly when the defect is serious and requires ongoing treatment. It is important to collect all receipts as well as bills as well as credit card statements, and other evidence that proves your damages and right to compensation.

The majority of birth defects are discovered before the infant is born or shortly after and can be corrected through surgery. Others can be permanent, affecting the individual throughout their life and leading to severe disabilities and limitations. A birth defect lawyer who is knowledgeable and understanding can help families receive the compensation they deserve. You must start a claim as soon you discover that your child has an anomaly in their birth.

Environmental Exposure

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

A medical malpractice lawyer should be consulted if there is a suspicion of a birth defect or birth injury. A medical malpractice lawyer who is skilled and compassionate will assist families to receive the money they deserve to ensure that their child's birth defect or injury won't have lifelong negative consequences.

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

This information is able to be gathered and shared via various programs including: