Wrongful birth lawsuits are a type of medical malpractice case. They are brought by parents of children with serious birth defects on the grounds their doctor failed to diagnose the condition. The basis for a wrongful birth claim is that medical staff denied the parents their right to make an informed decision regarding the pregnancy because they did not receive a diagnosis.
Wrongful birth suits allege a doctor acted negligently either before conception or during pregnancy. Negligence prior to conception may be a doctor’s failure to order genetic testing for the parents, which may have influenced their decision to conceive. Negligence during pregnancy could be a doctor’s failure to uncover the signs of a birth defect during gestation, which may have led the parents to terminate the pregnancy.
If your child was born with serious birth defects, a Los Angeles wrongful birth lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help you sue for awards to help with the costs of medical care and other resources for your child.
To find out more about our services and your legal options, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 970-4884. A member of our team is standing by to offer you a free, no-obligation consultation on your case.
Screening and Testing for Birth Defects
Most birth defects occur during the first three months of pregnancy, though they can develop at any stage. Doctors are unsure what causes many birth defects but believe a combination of genetics, environmental factors, and some behaviors contribute to their development.
Screenings can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy. Routine prenatal care includes screenings for birth defects at various stages of pregnancy. These screenings may include maternal blood tests, ultrasounds, and fetal echocardiograms, which listens to the baby’s heart for irregularities. If the results of any of these screenings show a possibility for birth defects, a doctor will generally order diagnostic testing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Further testing might include a more high-resolution ultrasound, testing of the placenta, known as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), and amniocentesis, which tests amniotic fluid. Ultrasounds provide a doctor with a visual picture of the baby’s development, while CVS and amniocentesis may reveal chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome, and genetic conditions, like cystic fibrosis.
Genetics and Birth Defects
Some birth defects are caused by genetic mutations that one or both parents pass down to the child. A couple can receive genetic testing to see if there are indications they may carry a genetic mutation prior to deciding to conceive. The following circumstances may prompt a couple to undergo genetic testing prior to or during pregnancy:
- A family history of genetic conditions or birth defects
- A previous child born with a genetic condition or birth defect
- An ethnic background with higher rates of birth defects
Screenings and testing for birth defects may provide parents with the information needed to make the most informed family planning decision.
If medical personnel did not arm you with the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision about your pregnancy, a Los Angeles wrongful birth lawyer may be able to help recover compensation in a wrongful birth lawsuit.
Wrongful Birth Lawsuits
Parents have a right to the best medical information available when it comes to making family planning decisions. When a physician fails to perform proper testing, diagnose a birth defect, or inform parents of potential genetic risks, they may have behaved negligently.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm believes negligent medical parties should be held responsible for their actions. A Los Angeles wrongful birth lawyer from our firm may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit on your behalf. This may allow us to:
- Investigate your case and identify the liable party
- Gather evidence of medical malpractice, including medical expert testimony in your defense, if necessary
- Gather evidence of the extent of your injuries
- Handle all communications, deadlines, and paperwork on your behalf
- Negotiate with the responsible party’s insurance company for a settlement offer
- Bring your case to trial, if necessary
Our team can keep you informed about the case, answer your questions, and provide legal advice throughout our work together.
For a free legal consultation with a Wrongful Birth Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 970-4884
Compensation in a Wrongful Birth Case
Caring for a child with special needs can be difficult and costly. If medical staff did not give you the information necessary to make an informed choice about your family planning options, you may not have to shoulder this burden alone.
You may be able to recover compensation in a medical malpractice lawsuit for the following expenses:
- Medical bills, both current and future
- Ongoing therapies and treatments
- Medications
- The cost of special schooling and caregivers
- Adaptive equipment needed to assist with daily living
- Lost wages for either parent that stops working to care for the child
- And more
In some cases, you may also be able to seek awards for your pain, suffering, and mental anguish.
Los Angeles Wrongful Birth Lawyer Near Me (800) 970-4884
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm understands that your family may be going through a difficult time emotionally and financially. Allow a Los Angeles wrongful birth lawyer from our firm to handle your case while you concentrate on your family and your child’s wellbeing.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm works on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay nothing out of pocket and nothing upfront. We only collect payment for our attorney’s fees if and when you receive a settlement offer or court awards.
For a free consultation on your case with a member of our legal team, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 970-4884.
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