Diaphragmatic hernia is a serious congenital (present at birth) defect characterized by an abnormal opening in the diaphragm, which is the muscle that helps a baby breathe. Through this opening part of the organs from the belly (stomach, liver, spleen and intestines) can go up into the chest cavity near the lungs. This results in the lung tissue on the affected side not completely developing, which can cause severe breathing difficulty.
Cause
Anti-depressants: The maternal use of certain anti-depressants may be associated with more than tripled risk of heart defects in exposed infants, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The anti-depressants linked to this and other birth defects may include:
Effexor, a similar anti-depressant, is also being researched for a possible link to an increased risk of a diaphragmatic hernia.
Treatment
Once diagnosed, a diaphragmatic hernia requires immediate surgery to place the abdominal organs into the proper positions and repair the opening in the diaphragm. Breathing support will also be needed for the baby, while he or she is in recovery. Sometimes a heart/lung bypass machine is utilized to give the lungs a full chance to recover and expand after surgery.
Your Baby’s Rights
If your baby was born with a diaphragmatic hernia that may have been caused by exposure to anti-depressants before birth, your family deserves financial compensation. Although no amount of money will change what happened to your baby, compensation will help offset the current and future medical costs, as well as provide for the pain and suffering you and your baby have experienced. Filing a claim will also teach the manufacturers of unsafe medications that it is unacceptable to not warn parents of the risks associated with these drugs, including serious birth defects. Your suit may even prevent other families from suffering as yours has, by forcing the pharmaceutical company to change their drug’s label to warn parents of the potential risks.
Contact Us
You may be eligible for compensation to ease the financial burdens associated with your baby’s injury. Contact us today to set up a free consultation, during which we will listen to your story, answer any questions you may have and discuss your legal rights and options. If you choose us to represent you, we will work with you on a contingency fee basis; this means you pay nothing until we have secured compensation for you, either through a jury verdict or settlement.