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When an infant is born with a birth defect or birth injury in Annapolis , it is devastating for the entire family. However, while birth defects are generally unavoidable, birth injuries are sometimes the result of negligence on the part of physicians or hospital staff. If your infant suffered an injury to due a physician’s failure to recognize pregnancy issues or because the doctor provided improper care, you should consult with lawyers who handle medical malpractice cases. Continue reading to learn more about birth injuries and birth defects.

Unavoidable Defects

A birth defect can be caused by a number of factors, including genetics. Birth defects refer to harm an infant suffers prior to birth as a result of something that happened before or during a pregnancy. For example, some infants are born with fetal alcohol syndrome as a result of a mother’s alcohol abuse while pregnant. However, preventable birth injuries can be confused with birth defects, which is why it is always important to speak to a medical malpractice law firm.

Preventable Injuries

A birth injury is any preventable harm that your infant suffers during the pregnancy or birthing process. If a physician does not provide the proper standard of care and a baby is injured as a result, the parents may make a legal claim on the child’s behalf. Cerebral palsy is one common birth injury that covers a number of disorders affecting a baby’s brain. Cerebral palsy can be the result of an injury to the baby’s brain during delivery due to lack of oxygen flow.

Legal Claims

If a child suffers personal injury due to an avoidable injury, it is essential to consult with medical malpractice lawyers. Only an experienced attorney can analyze the facts of your case and determine if you have a claim for financial damages. Often, many parties are responsible for a birth injury, including the doctor, hospital, drug company, and pharmacist. Any damages awarded will go to the child, who may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of future earning capacity.