Chicago Upper and Lower Congenital Limb Deficiencies Attorneys
Knowing Your Rights with Child Limb Defects
When the arm or leg of a fetus fails to completely form, is smaller than normal, or is missing entirely, this is called an upper or lower limb deficiency. Each year in the United States, about 750 babies are born with a deficiency of the lower limb and about twice that many with a deficiency of the upper limb. Such limb reduction defects may include:
- Missing limbs
- Fingers or toes that are not separated (referred to as webbed hands or feet)
- Shorter than normal limbs
- Blood circulation limited by a constrictive tissue band
- Extra toes or fingers
Several limb deficiencies have been linked to the use of Zofran, a medication that may have been prescribed to mothers with severe cases of morning sickness. Other limb deficiencies may result from other drugs as well. If your child was born with a limb deficiency, speak to an experienced Chicago birth defect attorney. Many limb deficiencies can be identified before your child is born through advanced prenatal testing.
If your child was born with limb defects, contact the Chicago birth defect lawyers at Sexner Injury Lawyers LLC to learn about your legal options. Reach out to us at (312) 243-9922 or online.
Issues for Children with Limb Defects
Depending upon the extent of the limb reduction and how many limbs are affected, children face a number of potential issues as they grow. Issues for children with limb defects include:
- Social and emotional challenges based on their physical appearance
- Need for help with basic daily tasks such as feeding and teeth brushing
- Developmental delays with basic motor skills
- Difficulties with certain sports, activities, or movement
Medical Malpractice Lawsuits for Congenital Limb Defects
Determining with exact certainty why a congenital birth defect has occurred is often difficult, but certain exposures and behaviors appear to be linked to the existence of upper and lower limb deficiencies. Although some of these behaviors — such as smoking — are not related to a doctor's medical treatment, others may be. For example, exposure during pregnancy to certain medications including Lexapro, Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Paxil, Clomid, and other SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) has been linked in studies to congenital limb defects.
An expectant mother is entitled to receive full information from her doctors to allow her to make reasoned decisions about which drugs to take and which to avoid. This is called informed consent. When a doctor, hospital, nurse, or drug company fails to provide enough information for the mother to be fully informed, medical malpractice may have occurred.
In other circumstances, a product liability lawsuit may be filed against a pharmaceutical company that manufactured a dangerous drug or failed to provide sufficient warning labels or information. Other times, a lawsuit may be filed against a medical provider or other party who exposed a patient to certain viruses or chemicals that resulted in injury to the fetus.
These are just a few of the possible events that may lead to a medical malpractice lawsuit. Such a claim is filed to bring closure and justice to the affected family, provide monetary damages to help with the care and treatment of the child, and send a strong message to the medical provider that substandard care is not acceptable.
Experienced and Compassionate Chicago Birth Defect Lawyers
Since 1990, our Chicago birth injury attorneys have helped families across the state secure fair compensation for doctor negligence and medical malpractice. Many millions have been recovered on our clients' behalf to assist with the treatment and care of children affected by congenital birth defects. Call Sexner Injury Lawyers LLC at (312) 243-9922.
