As a parent, there’s nothing more devastating than learning that your child has suffered a birth injury or birth defect. While both terms are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings and implications for your child’s health and well-being. In this post, we’ll explore the differences between birth injuries and birth defects, and provide guidance on how to seek compensation for medical expenses and other damages.
(How Birth Injuries Relate to Medical Malpractice)
What are Birth Injuries?
Birth injuries refer to physical harm or trauma that a baby suffers during the birthing process. These injuries can occur due to various factors, such as medical negligence or malpractice, difficulty during delivery, or the use of medical instruments.
Some common examples of birth injuries include brachial plexus injuries, cerebral palsy, and skull fractures. In some cases, birth injuries can be caused by a combination of factors, including medical negligence and pre-existing medical conditions.
What are Birth Defects?
Birth defects, on the other hand, refer to abnormalities in the development of a fetus during pregnancy. These defects can be caused by various factors, such as genetic mutations, environmental factors, or nutritional deficiencies.
There are several types of birth defects, including heart defects, cleft lip or palate, and neural tube defects. The causes of birth defects can be complex and multifaceted, and may involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Key Differences Between Birth Injuries and Birth Defects
While both birth injuries and birth defects can have a significant impact on a child’s health and well-being, there are key differences between the two. Birth injuries are often caused by medical negligence or medical malpractice during the birthing process, while birth defects are typically caused by genetic or environmental factors during pregnancy.
The timing of birth injuries and birth defects also differs. Birth injuries occur during the birthing process, while birth defects occur during fetal development.
Seeking Compensation
If your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence or malpractice, you may be entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses and other damages. To do so, you’ll need to file a medical malpractice claim or lawsuit.
When seeking compensation, it’s essential to consider the following:
- Medical expenses: Compensation for past and future medical expenses, including surgery, therapy, and ongoing care.
- Lost wages: Compensation for lost wages or income due to caring for a child with a birth injury or birth defect.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional pain and suffering experienced by your child.
A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the complex process of filing a claim or lawsuit and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your child’s injuries.
If you’re looking for an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer to help navigate your claim, we will fight assiduously for your right to the compensation you deserve. Call Bizzieri Law Offices at 773.881.9000. The case evaluation is free, and we never charge a fee unless we recover damages for you.