Top Reston, VA Birth Defect Lawyers Near You

Is Your Child Suffering from a Birth Defect?

If your child has a birth defect, a Reston birth defect attorney can help you analyze the type of birth defect and its potential cause. He or she can give you pertinent facts that will help you decide whether or not to pursue an action based upon your child’s birth defect.

Liability for a Birth Defect

A birth defect is a congenital disorder or disease that develops during infancy while the child is still in the mother’s womb. Because this is caused by many outside factors, defects are generally not from labor and delivery. A doctor or other hospital staff may be liable for not recognizing a potential birth defect and working to minimize the effects or notify the parents. This type of medical negligence may allow you to collect damages. A skilled birth defect attorney can help you determine your rights.

How an Attorney Can Help

An attorney can often resolve your particular legal issue faster and better than trying to do it alone. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal system, while avoiding costly mistakes or procedural errors. You should seek out an attorney whose practice focuses on the area of law most relevant to your issue.

The Importance of a Good Consultation

The goal of an initial consultation is to find an attorney you are comfortable working with and someone who can help you understand your options under the law. Seek to understand the relevant legal experience the attorney brings to your case. While it is not realistic to expect an attorney to resolve your legal issue during an initial consultation, you should gain a level of comfort with his/her ability to do so. A good consultation can clarify issues, raise pertinent questions and considerations for your case, and help you make an informed decision towards resolving your legal issue.

Types of legal fees:

Bill by the hour: Many attorneys bill by the hour. How much an attorney bills you per hour will vary based on a number of factors. For instance, an attorney’s hourly fee may fluctuate based on whether that hour is spent representing you in court or doing research on your case. Attorneys in one practice area may bill you more than attorneys in a different practice area.

Contingent fee: Some lawyers will accept payment via contingent fee. In this arrangement, the lawyer receives a percentage of the total monetary recovery if you win your lawsuit. In sum, the lawyer only gets paid if you win. Contingent fee agreements are limited to specific practice areas in civil law.

Flat fee: For “routine” legal work where the attorney generally knows the amount of time and resources necessary to complete the task, he/she may be willing to bill you a flat fee for services performed.

Common legal terms explained

Affidavit – A sworn written statement made under oath. An affidavit is meant to be a supporting document to the court assisting in the verification of certain facts. An affidavit may or may not require notarization.