Birth Defect Law
Birth injuries and birth defects can result from a range of factors. These conditions can be avoided in many cases.
Often, they are result of medical malpractice in pregnancy. Other causes include exposure to chemicals. Beauty salon employees and paint factories as well as metal cleaning operations, are at risk of developing these defects.
Causes
birth defect attorney defects are structural anomalies that cause a problem in one or more areas. They can range in severity from minor to life-threatening. Approximately 1 out of 33 babies is born with a birth defect each year.
If a child is born with a birth defect it can be a heartbreaking experience for parents and family members. Certain birth defects are inherited through genetic inheritance and others are caused by a range of causes including obstetrical problems or medication side effects, contaminations, or toxins.
Birth defect lawyers and studies have shown that some of birth defects can be attributed to environmental factors, such as drugs that are not prescribed by physicians and toxic chemicals at workplace and at home, and toxins that contaminate the environment. During the Vietnam War, mothers were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, which resulted in birth defects in children. Unfortunately, many of these birth deformities could have been prevented with the right care.
Symptoms
Birth defects can affect the way your body looks and functions. It can be structural (such as a lip or cleft palate) or result from genetic changes. A chromosome extra is the reason for Down syndrome. Certain medical and environmental factors can contribute to the condition too.
Some birth defects, such as cleft lips and palates are very obvious, while others are less obvious. Some of these include delayed responses to sounds, or a lack of ability to reach developmental goals like crawling and sitting up.
Birth injuries can be caused by an abnormality in the birth or it can occur during labor and delivery or during labor, for example, 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 recognize, especially when they manifest as lowered heart rate, poor oxygen levels, and crying.
Treatment
If your child was born with a birth defect there are options for treatment that can improve the condition of your child. These include surgery, medication as well as specialized therapy.
Birth issues can affect any aspect or function of the body, according to the CDC. They can also affect the life span of your child.
A variety of health professionals can treat a newborn with a birth defect including pediatricians, family practice physicians and neonatologists. If your baby is born with a serious birth defect like club foot, then you might need to consult a limb surgeon or orthopedic surgical specialist.
You can file a medical malpractice lawsuit if your doctor violated the duty of care you received during pregnancy, and the breach resulted in your child’s birth defects. It is the duty of both the pharmaceutical industry and doctors prescribing certain drugs to warn women who are pregnant or plan to be pregnant about the possibility of birth defects. This includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs have been linked to a range of health problems including birth defects.
Damages
Medical professionals must be vigilant to ensure that infants are not born with birth injuries or defects. If doctors fail to take these precautions, parents may be entitled to compensation to compensate their expenses.
There are different types of damages, based on the severity of the birth defect or injury. An attorney can help determine the right damages to seek.
The CDC states that each year one in 33 babies is born with an anomaly in the birth. The defects can vary from cleft lip defects to missing limbs and can have long-lasting and serious consequences.
You must act swiftly to file a claim if your child suffers from an anomaly in the birth due to medical malpractice. The statute of limitations is set to expire soon. A Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyer can assist you. Legal consultations can also help you determine the value of your case.
Statute of Limitations
You might be able bring a lawsuit if your child has a birth defect, or an injury which could have been easily avoided by negligence on the part of medical professionals. However there are strict deadlines — known as statutes or limitations that you must follow or your case will be dismissed.
Birth defects are the result of abnormalities that affect babies. They can cause physical or mental disabilities, and even death. These cases are categorized into different areas of law including medical malpractice, products liability and employment law. For instance, the drug Thalidomide caused fetal defects a few years ago and led to class action suits against its manufacturer.
Birth defects are a tragic part of life, but they are often preventable. This is the reason medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors are essential to safeguard patients.
Find an attorney
Despite the fact that medical and technological advancements have greatly reduced the risk of pregnancy and birth some birth defects still occur. Parents who are shocked to discover that their child was affected by birth defect or injury can be entitled to compensation.
According to the CDC birth defects can affect any part of the baby’s body. They can also have an impact on their appearance and Birth defect lawyers function. Some of these disorders are undetectable until the baby is born, or later in the course of. A lot of these disorders can be linked to medical malpractice.
An experienced and compassionate medical malpractice attorney can assist your family get the compensation that you are due for your child’s injuries. These damages can include emergency surgery as well as long-term treatment and Birth defect lawyers care. They also include medications for physical therapy, as well as special education costs.