Birth Defect Claims

Having a baby is one of the most exciting and special events in a person’s life. Discovering that something is wrong can be devastating and frightening for the entire family. Our birth defect lawyers are advocates for parents whose children are diagnosed with various birth defects, including (but not limited to) congenital heart defects, lung problems, head and skull malformations and facial deformities.

Birth defects can affect almost any body part or system of a newborn baby. What is necessary to cause a birth defect is some type of interruption or harm done to the fetus at any particular developmental stage. While the cause of many birth defects is unknown, factors such as certain medications (when taken during pregnancy) are known to increase the risk of complications during development.

Each stage of fetal development is vulnerable to some type of insult. Many abnormalities occur between the third to the eighth week of pregnancy when the fetus' major organ systems are forming. Some antidepressants and antianxiety medications have been associated with birth defects. A number of these drugs are in a class called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications make a mood stabilizer (serotonin) more available to brain cells.

Types of Birth Defects Associated with Medications

Just some of the birth defects that have been reported by women who took SSRI antidepressants or other medications during their pregnancies include anal atresia, cleft lip, cleft palate, club foot, craniosynostosis, heart defects, hypospadias, neural tube defects, omphalocele, partial absence of arms or legs, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), polydactyly and septal heart defects.

If your baby was born with a birth defect, you may be asking yourself what happened and who is responsible. Our attorneys can help you find answers to your questions and can help you seek the compensation you need to ensure your child receives the best medical care possible as well as achieves the highest quality of life.

To find out if you qualify to file a birth defect claim, contact us today. We will review your case for free and help you get the compensation you need and deserve.