Birth Defect Law

Birth injuries and birth defects can result from a variety of factors. They can be avoided in many instances.

They are often due to medical malpractice during pregnancy. Other causes include chemical exposure. Workers in beauty salons and paint factories as well as cleaning operations for metal are at risk of developing these types of defects.

Causes

Birth defects are structural problems that impact some or all of the body. They can vary in severity from minor to life-threatening. About 1 out of 33 babies is born with a birth defect each year.

If a baby is born with a birth defect, it can be a heartbreaking experience for parents and family members. Some birth defects can be inherited from a parent's genetic makeup and others are caused by a range of factors including obstetrical complications and medication side effects, toxins, or infections.

Birth defect lawyers and studies have proven that some of birth defects are due to environmental causes, including medications that are not properly prescribed by physicians and toxic chemicals that are present in the home and workplace, and pollutants that affect the environment. In 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 by the proper care.

Symptoms

A birth defect can affect how the body appears or performs. It could be structural like a cleft lip or palate, or it could result from genetic changes. A chromosome extra is the reason for the Down syndrome. The environment and medications can be the cause of this condition.

Some birth defects, such as cleft lips and palates, are very obvious, while others are more subtle. Some of these include a delayed response to the sound or a deficiency to meet developmental goals such as crawling and sitting up.

A birth injury may be caused by an anomaly in the birth process or it may occur during labor and delivery, such as the caput succedaneum (a swelling on the scalp of a newborn due to pressure during a head-first delivery). Sometimes, these injuries are difficult to detect, especially when they manifest as reduced heart rate, lowered oxygen levels, and excessive drooling.

Treatment

If your child has an anomaly in the birth, there are many options for treatment to improve the condition. These include surgery, medication and specialized therapy.

According to the CDC the CDC, birth defects can affect any body part and impact how that body part appears or performs. They can also affect the lifespan of your child.

A baby born with a birth defect is treated by several health professionals, including pediatricians and family practice doctors. If your baby is suffering from a serious birth defect such as club foot, it is possible to require an orthopedic or limb specialist surgeon.

If your doctor did not fulfill the obligation to care due you during your pregnancy and the breach resulted in your child's birth defect you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. It is the responsibility of pharmaceutical companies and doctors prescribing certain medicines to inform women who are pregnant or planning to be pregnant about the dangers of birth defect. This includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs have been linked to a range of health problems, including birth defect.

Damages

Medical professionals must take all precautions to ensure that babies do not suffer from birth defects or injuries. When doctors fail to do so parents could be legally entitled to compensation to pay for their expenses.

Based on the degree of the injury or birth defect There are a variety of types of damages that could result. An attorney can help decide on the damages you should seek.

The CDC reports every year that one in 33 babies is born with a defect. The defects can range from cleft lip to missing limbs. They can have long-lasting and serious consequences.

You must act swiftly to file a claim if your child suffers from a birth defect as a result of medical malpractice. The statute of limitations is set to expire soon. A Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorney can assist you. A legal consultation can assist you in determining the value of your case.

Statute of Limitations

You could be eligible to make a claim if your child is born with a defect or injury which could have been easily avoided by negligence on the part of medical professionals. There are strict deadlines, known as statutes and limitations which you must follow so that you don't risk your claim being dismissed.

A birth defect is an abnormality that affects infants and can result in physical or mental impairments and even death. These cases fall within 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 actions against its manufacturer.

Although birth defects are a sad aspect of life, they are usually prevented. Medical malpractice lawsuits are essential for protecting patients.

Find an Attorney

Despite the fact that medical technology and technological advancements have drastically reduced risks of pregnancy and birth, certain birth defects can still occur. Parents who are shocked to discover that their child was affected by a birth defect or injury are entitled to compensation.

According to the CDC, birth defects can affect any part of the infant's body and have a a profound effect on their function and appearance. Some of these issues might not be discovered until after the baby's birth or even later. Many of these disorders can be caused by medical malpractice.

A caring and skilled medical malpractice attorney can assist your family collect the damages you owe for your child's injuries. Those damages include emergency surgery, long term care and treatment including medication, physical therapy as well as special education costs, among other expenses associated with the child's impairment.