What are birth defects?
Birth defects are structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any body part (or multiple body parts). They often vary from mild to severe and can affect how the body looks, works, or both.
They can be identified before birth, at birth, or any time after birth but are typically discovered within the first year of life. Some birth defects are easy to identify (such as a cleft lip), but others (like heart defects or hearing loss) need special medical tests, such as x-rays or hearing tests.
What birth defect compensation can I claim on my baby’s behalf?
When a birth defect or injury could have been prevented if the treating medical practitioner had provided reasonable skill, care and attention, you may be able to claim compensation to help with the additional costs of raising a child with a birth defect, as well as compensation on your child’s behalf.
You may be able to claim birth defect compensation to account for the financial impact on your family, such as:
- Equipment and therapeutic aids
- Medical treatment, therapy and medication
- Special needs education
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Additional costs when engaging in recreational activities and holidays
On behalf of your child, you may be able to claim:
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future loss of earnings and superannuation
- The cost of past and future care and assistance
- The cost of fund management (if your child won’t have the capacity to handle their financial affairs)
If your child has suffered a birth defect due to negligence, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Contact us online using our free online claim checker or call1800 455 725to talk to our specialist team of birth defect lawyers for an obligation-free initial consultation.
