Chicago Hypospadias Birth Defect Attorneys
Hypospadias is a congenital condition that alters where the opening of the urethra (the tube through which urine exits the body via the bladder) exists on the penis. Hypospadias is, therefore, a congenital defect that affects boys only. This physical abnormality forms between week 8 and week 14 of pregnancy and the opening may appear in a number of locations, from just below the tip of the penis to the scrotum itself.
The condition has been linked to mothers who have been prescribed certain anticonvulsant drugs that impact normal development. If your son was born with hypospadias, you may be able to get compensation for corrective surgery. Contact the Chicago birth defect attorneys of Sexner Injury Lawyers LLC at (312) 243-9922 for a free legal consultation.
What Are the Different Types of Hypospadias?
Depending on the location of the urethral opening, there are three basic types of hypospadias:
- Penoscrotal: Opening located where the scrotum and penis join
- Subcoronal: Opening located near the head of the penis
- Midshaft: Opening located somewhere along the penis shaft
Treatment of Hypospadias
This condition is among the most common birth defects in male babies and occurs in about 1 of every 250 births. Hypospadias can be usually be corrected by surgical repair and this surgery is best performed between the age of six months and two years old by a pediatric urology surgeon. Although surgical risks such as a fistula or hematoma exist, depending upon the severity of the birth defect, the vast majority of such surgeries are successful and allow the child to live a normal life.
Generally, surgery is elected to treat hypospadias. If surgery is not performed, problems such as the following may occur:
- Decreased fertility
- Curvature of penis during erection
- Difficulty directing and controlling urine stream
Medical Malpractice Claims for Hypospadias
Although hypospadias is a congenital birth defect, under some circumstances, medical malpractice may have contributed to or complicated the situation. In such cases, a negligence lawsuit filed against the doctor, hospital, or a drug manufacturing company may help bring justice and financial compensation to your family, which can help you through difficult times. Hypospadias has been linked to a number of medications and drugs. It is your doctor’s responsibility to help you stay clear of such drugs and their unintended medical consequences. Some of the ways that a medical provider may be held liable for injuries related to this condition include:
- A doctor prescribing or failing to warn against use of certain SSRI drugs (antidepressants) such as Paxil, Zoloft, or Prozac which have been linked to congenital birth defects such as hypospadias.
- A doctor prescribing the fertility drug Clomid or an anti-nausea drug called Zofran, which have also been linked to congenital birth defects like hypospadias.
- A negligently performed circumcision or other corrective surgery.
- If a pharmaceutical drug company manufactures an unsafe product or fails to properly warn consumers of the possibility of congenital birth defects.
Knowledgeable Hypospadias Attorneys in Chicago
Contact the Chicago birth injury lawyers at Sexner Injury Lawyers LLC if you believe that doctor or hospital negligence has occurred. Millions of dollars have already been collected for our clients and their families. There is never any fee charged unless we are successful on your behalf, and information is always free at (312) 243-9922. Call today to see how we can help your family.
