Birth Injury vs. Birth Defect

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) January 26, 2012 -- The birth of your child should be a joyous occasion. Over 4 million babies are born in the United States every year. Fortunately, a good majority of these births are without complications and result in happy, healthy children. Sadly, many births still result in birth injury or birth defect, causing thousands of families to incur both the emotional and financial devastation that can accompany these problems.

While both birth injury and birth defects can have serious consequences for newborns and the families they are joining, they are very different issues. However, the differences are not always clear.

Birth Injury

A birth injury is any injury your child sustains before, during, or immediately following delivery. This can be due to the positioning of your baby or other complications that may arise prior to delivery, and they often require swift, intelligent medical reactions to prevent serious long term damage. In many instances, birth injuries are a result of medical malpractice. When doctors, nurses, and other attending healthcare professionals fail to react to the myriad variations and complications that can accompany a pregnancy, they have failed in their duty to provide you with the standard of care you deserve.

The results of birth injury can often be severe and life altering. Some of the consequences of birth injury include:

• Autism
• Mental retardation
• Erb’s Palsy
• Cerebral Palsy
Birth Defect

A birth defect, unlike a birth injury, is caused during gestation and not delivery. Birth defects include structural or functional abnormalities such as:

• Cleft palate
• Heart defects
• Facial malformations
• Spina bifida
• Anencephaly

Birth defects are often caused by genetic factors or lifestyle choices, but in some cases they may be caused by taking dangerous prescription medications taken during pregnancy.

Both birth defects and birth injuries can result in brain damage and cognitive disruption. This can make filing a lawsuit complex, requiring the assistance of an attorney who is experienced in both areas to investigate the injury, find the cause, and hold the proper party accountable. Children born with birth defects or birth injuries will require special care. Medical and rehabilitation expenses may also be necessary. These things, along with your child’s pain and your family’s emotional suffering must be taken into account when you decide to seek compensation for either of these unfortunate conditions.

If your child was born with a birth defect, or was injured during delivery in or around Baltimore, Maryland, please visit the website of the experienced attorneys at the Yost Legal Group to see how we can help your family recover.

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