Increased Risk of Birth Defects Linked to Opioid Use
As the opioid epidemic spreads and the prescription of opioids continues, the link to death, addiction, health concerns, and birth defects grows stronger. Opioids taken during pregnancy, or just prior to pregnancy can have serious negative effects on your developing baby. If a doctor prescribes an opioid painkiller during pregnancy or does not advise against continuing taking a previously prescribed opioid, that is cause for medical malpractice. At Christian & Christian, we take these cases seriously and we will fight for the compensation you deserve. The devastation from seeing your baby suffer, the additional time in the hospital and away from work, and the medical bills that come along with any kind of birth defect should not be on your shoulders. Our team of Greenville medical malpractice attorneys can help you get the settlement you deserve.
Birth Defects Caused by Opioids
Opioid painkillers are linked to the following birth defects:
- Gastritis
- Congenital Glaucoma
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Hydrocephaly
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Spina Bifida
In addition, babies exposed to opioids often have poor growth rates and require intensive withdrawal treatment. Babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) are babies born experiencing withdrawals from opioids ingested by their mother.
Symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Seizures
- Excessive crying
- Trembling
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Difficulty feeding
If your child was born with any of the above defects or withdrawal symptoms, and your doctor did not take the necessary precautions to warn you of these issues and prevent them to the best of his or her ability, you need to contact our team. We can help you seek legal justice for negligence and medical malpractice.
Holding Physicians Responsible Is Our Job
If you or a loved one was prescribed opioid medication while pregnant and her baby was born with a birth defect or was born addicted to opioids, you may have a case. Women who are prescribed opioids just before or during pregnancy have an increased chance of having a child with birth defects, don’t let your physician get away with it. Let our team of Greenville medical malpractice lawyers work with you to examine the details of your case and hold your physician responsible. The medical bills, missed work and stress due to your child’s condition require compensation. Our team can help.
Contact our office for a free consultation. Call (864) 408-8883.