Birth Defect Law
Birth defects and injuries can result from a range of factors. In most cases, these conditions are easily prevented.
Often, they are caused by medical negligence during pregnancy. Chemical exposure is another reason. The people who work in beauty salons or paint factories as well as in metal cleaning operations face a high risk of developing defects.
Causes
Birth defects are structural issues that impact one or more parts of the body. The severity of the defects can range from mild to life-threatening. Each year, about 1 out of 33 babies are born with a birth defect.
If a baby is born with a birth defect, it can be devastating for parents and other family members. Certain birth defects are passed down through the genes of a parent, while others can be caused by a variety of causes, including obstetrical problems, medication side-effects, toxins, and infections.
Birth defect lawyers and research have proven that environmental factors are responsible for some birth defects. These include medications which were not prescribed by doctors, toxic chemicals at workplace and at home, and chemicals that pollute the environment. In the Vietnam War mothers were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange which caused birth defects in their children. Unfortunately, many of these birth defects could be avoided with the appropriate care.
Symptoms
A birth defect can affect the way your body looks or performs. It could be a structural issue (such as a lip or cleft palate) or be caused by genetic changes. A chromosome extra is responsible for the Down syndrome. Certain medical and environmental factors can contribute to the condition as well.
Some birth defects, such as cleft lips and palates are easily identifiable, while other birth defects can be less obvious. These include a slow response to sound or the inability to meet developmental milestones like crawling and sitting up.
Birth injuries can be the result of an anomaly in the birth process or it may occur during the labor and delivery process, such as a caput succedaneum (a swelling on the newborn's scalp due to pressure during a head-first birth). Sometimes these injuries may be difficult to discern, particularly when they manifest as a lowered heart rate, poor oxygen levels, and crying.
Treatment
If your child was born with birth defect there are treatment options that can treat the condition of your child. These include surgery, medications, and specialized therapies.
According to the CDC the CDC, birth
defects can affect any body part and impact how that body part appears or functions. They also can affect the life expectancy of your child.
A variety of health professionals can help a newborn with a birth defect including pediatricians, family practitioners, and neonatologists. If your baby is suffering from a serious birth defect, like club foot, you could require an orthopedic or limb specialist surgeon.
You could file a medical malpractice lawsuit if the doctor violated the duty of care you gave during pregnancy, and this breach led to your child's birth defects. It is the obligation of pharmaceutical companies and doctors prescribing certain medications to inform women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant about the potential of birth defect. This includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs have been linked to a variety of health problems that include birth defects.
Damages
Medical professionals must take all precautions to ensure that infants aren't suffering from birth defects or injuries. Parents may be legally entitled to compensation in the event that doctors fail to take the appropriate precautions.
Based on the degree of the birth defect or injury, there are many different kinds of damages that may result. An attorney can help you decide on the damages you should seek.
The CDC annually reports that one in 33 babies is born with an issue. These issues vary from lips with clefts to missing limbs, and they could have long-lasting and severe effects.
If your child was affected by an birth defect due to medical malpractice, it's imperative that you act swiftly to submit a claim before the statute of limitations runs out. A Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorney can help you. A consultation with a lawyer can help you determine what your case might be worth.
Statute of Limitations
You could be able to pursue a lawsuit if you believe your child suffers from a birth defect, or an injury which could have been easily prevented due to medical negligence. There are strict deadlines, known as statutes and limitations that you must adhere to in order to avoid your claim being dismissed.
A birth defect is an anomaly which affects a newborn baby and can result in physical or mental disabilities as well as death. These cases are categorized into different areas of law including medical malpractice as well as products liability, and employment law. Thalidomide, for instance, was responsible for causing fetal defects in the past, and led to class-action suits against its manufacturer.
While
birth defect attorneys defects are a nagging aspect of life, they're usually prevented. Medical malpractice lawsuits are essential to safeguard patients.
Locating an Attorney
While modern technology and advances in medical technology have significantly reduced the risks associated with pregnancy and birth but some birth defects remain a possibility. Parents who have been stung could be entitled to compensation if they discover that their child suffers from a preventable birth defect or injury.
According to the CDC birth defects can affect any aspect of the body of an infant and have a profound impact on their appearance and function. Certain of these conditions might not be discovered until after the baby's birth or even after. A lot of these disorders can be linked to medical malpractice.
A caring and skilled medical malpractice attorney can assist your family to recover the damages you owe for your child's injuries. These damages can include emergency surgeries, long term care and treatment, medication, physical therapy and special education expenses, as well as other expenses associated with the child's disability.