Birth Defect Case Strategies That Will Change Your Life

Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Attorney

The joy of parenting can be turned into a terrifying experience when you learn that your child was born with an anomaly in the birth. Most birth defects require lifelong medical care, which can lead to staggering financial costs.

A New York birth defects attorney can determine if your child's problem is the result of medical malpractice or harmful chemicals or medications.

Causes of Birth Defects

If your child has an issue with their birth that could have been avoided by an medical professional, you should contact a Long Island birth defects attorney as soon as possible. A reputable attorney will handle the previous step swiftly and efficiently, so that you can grieve your injured loved one.

Birth defects are structural or functional changes in a fetus's body which can affect virtually any part of the human body. They can lead to physical issues as well as intellectual and developmental disabilities like difficulties in communicating or learning, or difficulties with activities such as walking, or caring for oneself.

Some birth defects can be identified before the baby is born through special tests, such as analysing the cells in a blood sample or by examining samples of amniotic fluid or the placenta. Doctors are increasingly able to diagnose birth defects through ultrasound of the fetus and magnetic resonance imaging.

Some birth defects can be caused by genetic factors such as the chromosomes in a fetus's body and genes. These defects can be passed down by parents or by mutations that take place in the DNA of the fetus in conception. Some of the most common genetic birth defects include spina bifida, trisomy 21 and Tay-Sachs disease. Many other genetic birth defects are not known to have a cause in any way.

Medical Malpractice

You may be able bring a lawsuit against the doctor for medical malpractice when you or your child were injured due to a mistake by a health care professional. This could be due to inability to identify, for instance the doctor does not take your symptoms seriously, birth defects makes a wrong diagnosis, and doesn't begin the correct treatment, or fails to follow up with test results. It can also include mistakes with medication, like an inaccurate diagnosis of anesthesia, prescribing too much medication or the wrong type of medications, and surgical mistakes.

Finding a lawyer who has expertise in malpractice cases could be challenging. You can ask your friends, family members and attorneys from other areas for recommendations. You can also reach out to the state bar. Bar associations generally offer search/referral services that can help you locate an experienced medical negligence lawyer.

Chemical Exposure

Birth defects can be caused by dangerous chemicals that are harmful to the fetus's mother or the mother. A lot of these chemicals can be found in the workplace where they are used to make products like plastics, paint, batteries and ceramic glazes. They can be ingested or inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Certain of these toxins are known to increase the risk for the development of birth defects, such as spina-bifida and Birth Defects other psychological and physical conditions.

These teratogen chemicals are found in medications that doctors have negligently prescribed, in the use of chemicals in the workplace, such as those in semiconductor "clean rooms" or in toxic substances that pollute the air and water. The Thornton Law Firm has represented numerous parents whose children were born with serious birth defects after the mothers were exposed to glycol ethers, coal ash and pesticides at their place of employment.

Contact an experienced New York birth injury lawyer to set up a free consultation if you believe that your child's birth defects were caused through medical negligence, hazardous drug or exposure to toxic substances during pregnancy. These claims are highly time sensitive and there are strict statutes of limitations. An experienced attorney can determine if the child is able to file a claim, and whether it should be filed in court or a settlement agreement.

Product Liability

Many birth defects can be the result of an improper prescription or exposure to chemicals. Parents are advised to speak with an attorney for birth defects immediately if they believe that their child's illness was due to negligence in the medical field or exposure to dangerous drugs. These cases can be extremely complex and time-sensitive.

Medical malpractice cases are typically due to environmental factors that cause birth defects, for example, inadequately prescribed drugs or medications or inadequate care during pregnancy. Families should seek legal aid immediately as the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice claim is only one year.

Birth defect lawsuits for medication may also be filed when the doctor was negligent when prescribing medication to the mother, for example, by failing to understand the way in which a certain drug could interact with other medications that the mother might be taking or not properly advising her of the possible side effects. A Maryland lawyer for birth defects in medication can assist clients to recover damages when a doctor has acted negligently and causes a birth injury or birth defect.

A family with newborns with a major birth defect could face huge costs, including treatment, surgery and treatment for the rest of their child's life. A birth defect lawyer who is well-informed and experienced can assist parents determine whether the medical condition of their child was caused by medical negligence, a dangerous drug or toxic exposure.