Birth Defect Law
Birth defects and injuries can result from a range of causes. In many cases, these conditions are avoidable.
They are often caused by medical malpractice during pregnancy. Other causes include exposure to chemicals. Workers in beauty salons and paint factories and also cleaning operations for metal are at a high risk of developing these kinds of defects.
Causes
Birth defects are structural anomalies that affect one or more of the parts. The severity of the defects can range from mild to life-threatening. About one out of 33 babies are born with a birth defect each year.
If a baby is born with a birth defect, it can be extremely distressing for parents and their family members. Some birth defects are inherited from a parent’s genes while others can be caused by a variety of factors, such as obstetrical problems, medication side-effects such as toxins, infections, and toxins.
Birth defect attorneys and studies have found that environmental causes are responsible for some birth defects. This includes medications that were not properly prescribed by doctors, toxic chemicals in home and work, and contaminants that can be found in the environment. During the Vietnam War, mothers were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange, which resulted in birth defects in children. Sadly, a lot of these birth defects could be prevented with the appropriate care.
Signs and symptoms
Birth defects can alter the way your body appears and performs. It could be structural, such as a mouth or lip cleft, or it could result from changes in genes. Down syndrome, for example, is caused by an extra chromosome. The environment and medications can also contribute to this condition.
Certain birth defects, such as cleft lips and palates, are very obvious, while others can be more subtle. They can be a slow response to sound or the inability to meet milestones in development, like sitting up and crawling.
A birth injury may be caused by a birth defect or it may occur during birth like a caput succedaneum (a swelling on the newborn’s scalp due to pressure during a head-first delivery). Sometimes, these injuries can be difficult to detect, especially when they manifest as reduced heart rate, lowered oxygen levels, and crying.
Treatment
If your child was born with birth defect, there are treatment options which can improve his or her condition. These include surgery, medication and specialized therapies.
According to the CDC the CDC, birth defects can affect any part of the body and influence how that part is perceived or functions. They may also affect the life expectancy of your child.
Many different health care professionals can help a newborn with a birth defect, including pediatricians, family medicine doctors and neonatologists. If your baby is suffering from a serious birth defect such as club foot, you may require a limb specialist or orthopedic surgeon.
If your doctor breached the duty of care to you during your pregnancy and that breach caused the birth defect of your child You could file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Pharmaceutical companies and doctors who prescribe certain medications have a responsibility to warn women who are of childbearing age about the risk of birth defects, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs have been linked to a variety of health problems, including birth defect.
Damages
Medical professionals must take every precaution to ensure that babies do not have birth injuries or defects. Parents could be entitled to compensation if medical professionals fail to take the appropriate precautions.
There are many types of damages depending on the extent of the birth defect or injury. An attorney can help determine the right damages to seek.
The CDC reports every year that one baby in 33 is born with a defect. These conditions range from lips that are cleft to missing limbs and could have long-lasting and severe consequences.
It is imperative to act fast to make a claim if your child suffers from an anomaly in the birth due to medical malpractice. The statute of limitations is set to expire in the near future. A Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyer can help you. A legal consultation can assist you in determining how much your case could be worth.
Statute of Limitations
You might be able pursue a lawsuit if you believe your child suffers from a birth defect or injury which could have been easily prevented due to medical negligence. There are strict deadlines, also known as statutes or limits, that you must adhere to in order to avoid your case being dismissed.
A birth defect is an abnormality that affects infants and may cause physical or mental disabilities including death. These cases fall into several different areas of law including medical malpractice as well as products liability and employment law. Thalidomide, as an instance, was responsible for causing fetal defects in the past and led to class action lawsuits against its maker.
Birth defects are a sad aspect of life, but they can often be prevented. Medical malpractice lawsuits are essential for protecting patients.
Locating an attorney
While modern technology and advances in the medical field have greatly reduced the risks of pregnancy and birth but some birth defects are still possible. Parents who are shocked to discover that their child was affected by an injury or birth defect could be legally entitled to compensation.
According to the CDC birth defects can affect any part of the baby’s body. They can also have a profound effect on their appearance and function. Some of these diseases are undetectable until the baby is born or even later in the course of. Many of these diseases are connected to medical negligence.
A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and skilled can help you and your family receive the compensation you’re owed. These damages include emergency surgery and long-term treatment and care. They also include medications, physical therapy and special education costs.
