Birth Defect Lawsuit

If you believe that your child’s birth defect was caused by exposure to pharmaceutical drugs, toxic chemicals or hazardous conditions in your workplace, you and your child may be entitled to compensation. Call us today to get the facts.  Call Toll Free 1-866-777-2557 or fill out our online contact form and a lawyer will respond within 24 hours to answer your questions.

Three out of every 100 infants are born with a birth defect. Some defects can be treated with drugs or surgery, other defects are for life. If a baby is diagnosed with a birth defect, its parents would do well to seek out a second or even a third opinion. It never hurts to get more feedback on the subject. It is also incredibly important that the parents follow up with every scheduled well visit. The more often the pediatrician sees the baby, the more treatment the baby can receive and the better his or her chances may be at recovery.

Below is a list of some of the more common birth defects.

Down syndrome

Down syndrome occurs when cells divide abnormally, creating an extra copy of chromosome 21. Pregnant women undergo tests to screen for Down syndrome while the baby is still in the womb. If there is a good chance that the baby might be born with Down syndrome, then diagnostic tests are performed that can confirm whether or not the baby definitely has it. Down syndrome is incurable, though it may not necessarily be a lifelong condition.

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is the condition wherein a baby's spinal cord does not properly develop while the baby is still in the womb. This condition can be diagnosed either while the mother is still pregnant or after the baby is born. The baby may also have a distinguishing mark on his or her skin right above the defect, such as a birthmark or visible spinal cord tissue. Spina bifida is also incurable, though surgery may be used to treat the condition.

Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart defects are rare, but one of the most common of these defects is a hole in the heart. Congenital heart defects are treatable, though they can still become chronic. Treatments range from the minor, like medications, to the major, like surgery. Worst-case scenarios may actually require a heart transplant.

Cleft Lip or Palate

A cleft is a split, and a cleft lip or palate is when the child is born with a split in his or her lip or in the roof of the mouth. Today, cleft lips and palates can easily be corrected with surgery, and there is barely any scarring. If necessary, speech therapy may be used to help the child correct any difficulties they may have with speech as a result of their condition and/or surgery.