10 Things That Your Family Taught You About Birth Defect Lawyer

A Birth Defect Lawyer Can Help Your Family Achieve Justice

A birth defect for a child could dramatically alter your family's life. If a medical professional has committed negligence during your pregnancy, and your child's condition was a result, you need to react quickly.

A birth injury lawyer with experience can assist you in bringing a claim against the responsible parties. In the meantime, you can begin collecting receipts, bills, and credit card statements.

Birth Defects and Causes

The exact causes of birth defects aren't always obvious. Certain birth problems are caused by genetic disorders. Genes that aren't working properly or are absent completely (like Turner Syndrome and Down Syndrome) are a cause for these. They may also be caused by chromosomal disorders, in which some or all of the chromosomes have more or too few cells.

These problems are usually diagnosed in utero by ultrasound or amniocentesis. A sample of amniotic liquid from the uterus is taken and tested to detect genetic mutations and chromosomal anomalies. In some instances doctors are unable to identify the birth defect until a child has symptoms such as an extra finger, cleft lips or club feet.

Aside from genetic and chromosomal issues birth defects are caused by problems with the nervous system, brain as well as musculoskeletal disorders that affect bones, muscles and joints. They can range from mild to severe, and affect how someone appears or performs, such as physical strength, learning abilities and mobility.

While some birth defects cannot be prevented, some can. Couples who have a history of certain inherited disorders should consider genetic testing prior to trying to have children. Avoiding exposure to certain chemicals and medications, as well as diseases and other environmental factors can reduce the chance of birth defects. Medical malpractice or negligence in the care of a woman who is pregnant can also contribute to birth defects, so it's crucial to consult a birth defect lawyer if you believe a medical mistake may have contributed to the child's condition.

Medical Malpractice

Medical negligence lawsuits involving birth defects can be complex and require expert medical evidence. A knowledgeable and compassionate medical malpractice lawyer will help your family obtain justice and get the compensation you need to ensure your child is able to have a normal, fulfilling life.

To determine if you are in a medical malpractice case the attorney will begin by carefully identifying your child's birth defect and linking it to the medical professionals who were involved in the birth. Your attorney should also be aware of the date when the birth defect law firms defect of your child was identified. This is important because it will let you know how long you've got until the statute of limitation expires to file your claim.

It is also essential that your attorney has access to your medical records and any other documents you might have that relate to your child's birth defect like receipts, bills and credit card statements. This information will enable your attorney to prove the extent of the injuries your child has suffered and determine what compensation you are entitled.

Birth defects can result in many ways, including medical conditions or genetics exposure to illness and infections, or exposure to drugs or chemicals. However, the majority of birth defects are not caused by medical malpractice or any other kind of negligence. A medical malpractice claim is only valid when a medical professional does not fulfill his or her duty to care and this negligence results in a birth injury.

Drugs

Birth defects are atypical conditions that can develop in a child's body during the birth process or during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explains that these defects can affect any part of the body and can be mild or even life-threatening.

Most of the time, these ailments are the result of genetics or the mother's lifestyle. In certain cases, medical malpractice may be the cause of the child's condition. An experienced Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can help parents determine the cause of their child's condition and take legal action.

Drugs can cause serious birth defects in the fetus. These substances, often referred to as teratogens include prescription drugs as well illegal street drugs. Thalidomide was previously widely used as a sleep aid and anti-nausea pregnancy medicine, but it turned out to cause some of the most severe birth defects ever recorded. It caused limb reduction problems and other physical and mental impairments.

Doctors have a duty of care to evaluate the dangers associated with certain medications they prescribe to pregnant women. If they fail to do so they are guilty of malpractice. Pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies are required to an obligation to warn women about the dangers of using their products.

Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

Although many birth defects are the result of an unfortunate genetic defect that cannot be prevented, a few of them result from exposure to toxic chemicals while in utero. These chemicals could be present in the medications pregnant mothers take or birth defect lawyer in environmental pollutants at home or Birth Defect Lawyer work, or in toxic chemical agents at a workplace. These chemicals are known as teratogens. They are known to could cause serious birth defects including spina bifida, developmental delays as well as skeletal deformities, brain damage, muscular dystrophy as well as low birth weight deformities of the limbs, and heart issues.

Certain toxic substances like arsenic or cadmium can be present in drinking water and soil. Lead is a typical contaminant that is present on home paint, art supplies plastics, cosmetics and many other products. Other toxic substances include pharmaceuticals, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which have been shown to increase the risk of birth defects.

A lawyer who is specialized in birth defects can assist parents determine if a substance or chemical has caused their child's birth defect. In these instances our lawyers can make a claim under the product liability law against a chemical or drug manufacturer who developed and manufactured dangerous chemicals or medications. Or, we could make a claim against doctors who prescribe drugs that are identified to have harmful side effects on pregnant women.