Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Legal Team It can be an incredibly frightening and confusing experience to learn that your child is born with a birth defect. Contacting a legal team for birth defects with experience is vital as soon as you can. A lawyer can help you understand the causes of a birth defect as well as how to file a lawsuit to recover damages for your child. Causes of Birth Defects Birth defects are structural problems that affect how the body looks and functions. They can happen at any point during pregnancy, but the majority occur during the first three months. Some are visible, while others can only be detected by a medical professional. They can range in severity, from mild to severe. Genetic disorders are the cause of the majority of birth defects. These are caused by an individual gene is altered (mutated) or is missing. The majority of genes are passed on from parents to children however some are passed down through the environment. Some environmental triggers include smoking, drinking during pregnancy, or taking certain medications. Exposure to harmful chemicals can increase the risk of a birth defect. Certain birth defects can be treated, however most aren't. These can include surgery, medications, and special home treatment. Certain birth defects, like cleft lip and palate and spina bifida, are treated with surgery. Medicines can be used to treat other ailments, such as Tay-Sachs and patent duodenal artery. Women who smoke or drink alcohol during pregnancy are at an increased risk of having a child with a birth defect. Women who have an ancestral history of birth defect are at higher risk too. It is crucial to speak to a doctor regarding your possibility of having a child with a birth defect. Medical Malpractice In many instances, birth defects are often caused by medical mistakes during pregnancy and delivery. A New York birth defect lawyer can assist parents to file an action for malpractice against the doctor responsible for causing the child's condition. A doctor may have mistakenly prescribed medication during pregnancy to the mother that increased the chances of the baby being born with a particular defect. If the child has a severe mental deficiency due to that medication, they can receive government disability benefits to help with their needs. The medical professional or hospital may not have detected a birth defect that was known to the mother during fetal screening. If the doctor did not conduct tests or discuss the results with the parents and the parents, they could be held accountable for claims based on wrongful birth. Midwives, medical facilities and health professionals are required to disclose and report medical records relating to birth defects. This information can be used to monitor birth defects activities as well as to detect trends, clusters and possible causes. This information cannot be disclosed to the public or other individuals unless allowed by applicable laws and regulations, which includes HIPAA. These regulations may differ based on the jurisdiction. The information is only used for authorized purposes by the department of state. Every employee involved in the program to monitor birth defects must sign a confidentiality contract and receive training on how to handle confidential information. Prescription Drugs Amniocentesis as well as prenatal ultrasounds and blood tests are able to determine the risk of certain birth defects prior to the child is even born. Women with higher-risk pregnancies can be offered more in-depth screening options due to the family history or maternal age. Certain prescription or over-the-counter medications can cause serious side effects for pregnant women. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and those prescribing these medications are required to warn doctors of the dangers. If they fail to take this step, they may be held accountable for birth injuries. As a result of birth defects as a result of birth defects, medical, hospital and pharmaceutical bills can quickly mount up, especially when the defect is serious and requires lifelong treatment. It is important to collect all bills, receipts, credit card payment documents and other documentation of your damages and your right to claim compensation. The majority of birth defects are discovered when the baby is born or shortly after and can be fixed with surgery. Others may remain forever, affecting the person for the rest of his or her lifetime and leading to significant limitations and disabilities. A birth defect lawyer who is experienced and compassionate can assist families get the amount of compensation they are due. If you suspect that your child was born with a birth defect it is crucial to make a claim before the statute of limitations runs out. Environmental Exposure Birth defects can be caused by several environmental factors. These include prescription or over-the-counter drugs, as well as chemical exposure at workplace or at home. Sometimes, the cause is difficult to pinpoint. However, when a large number of babies with the same defect are born in a specific time period and location, this is known as a birth defect "cluster". If there's any suspicion that the birth injury or defect was caused by medical negligence or negligence, a medical malpractice lawyer should be consulted. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help families attain the benefits they are entitled to, so that the birth defect or birth injury doesn't cause permanent negative effects. Many states have laws that require the recording of birth defects. This includes the capture of information from hospital discharge records. The information can be used to detect anomalies and trends. This information can be gathered and shared by different programs like: