Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

When you discover that your child is born with a birth defect, what should be an exciting moment could quickly become one of anxiety and uncertainty. Contact a medical malpractice lawyer and birth defect lawyer as soon as you can.

You'll need to collect bills and receipts, credit card payments and other evidence of your losses to be able to claim full compensation for your losses. We have successfully represented family members in lawsuits against large electronic firms, agricultural pesticide producers and commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

Many birth defects are the result of medical errors or malpractice that occurred during the pregnancy. Some of these issues are more serious than others, Birth Defect Attorneys but all birth defects or injuries can be devastating for the child and their family members. A medical malpractice lawyer can determine if the doctor knowingly made an error that led to the defect or injury.

Doctors can identify birth defect claim defects through screening tests during pregnancy. If these tests are conducted and correctly, parents can be informed of the risk that their child could have an abnormal birth. This information helps them decide if they want to end the pregnancy or prepare for the birth and treatment of the child. Medical malpractice could be committed when the doctor is unable to interpret or conduct these tests, or when he or she fails to inform parents of the results.

Birth defects and medical treatments can be costly. These treatments include surgeries, specialists, medication, physical and speech therapies and assistive devices. The money awarded in an untimely birth lawsuit can aid in easing the financial burden that is caused by these expenses which will allow families to receive the help their child needs. Medical malpractice lawsuits are complex and time-sensitive, therefore it is crucial to find a reputable attorney as soon as possible.

Prescription Drugs

Although the advancement of technology and developments in the field of medicine have significantly reduced the risk of birth injuries and defects however, they're still very likely. Birth defects and injuries could be serious or minor and often require life-long medical care. In some instances, they even cause death. A Boston dangerous drug lawyer can assist parents receive compensation for their child's current and future medical expenses, including procedures in the hospital or doctor's office rehabilitation services, assistive devices and more.

When a physician prescribes a medication to an expectant mother that increases the chances of her child's developing a birth defect, they may be guilty of medical malpractice. They have a responsibility to be aware of the medications that can affect the development of the fetus and to not prescribe drugs harmful to the embryo.

Prescription medications that increase the risk of having a birth defect are known as Teratogens. They include anti-seizure drugs such as Dilantin, Lamictal, Tegretol and Topamax. The FDA has warned against the use of these drugs during pregnancy. They may increase the risk of cleft lips and cleft palates, and heart, lung and brain abnormalities. These drugs also pose a risk of miscarriage in women who are pregnant or nursing. Parents may sue doctors, the producers of the drugs as well as the pharmacists who gave the medications for failing to warn them about their risks.

Toxic Chemicals

If a child is born with a birth defect parents often wonder about what was the cause. In reality, there are a variety of factors that can lead to the birth defect, ranging from the effects of medications or exposure to toxic chemicals in the uterus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth deformity. These conditions could be minor or serious and can be life-threatening. A lot of the time, a birth defect is an unfortunate genetic defect that occurs at no fault of the mother. However, a large percentage of birth problems are the result exposure to chemicals or environmental elements which occurs in the womb. These chemicals are known as teratogens and increase the chance of irreparable structural or functional abnormalities in offspring.

There is a wide range of industrial chemicals that have been linked to birth defects and other reproductive harms and many people across the country are exposed these chemicals every day. From semiconductor factories and technology with clean rooms, to pesticides used in nurseries and farms as well as automobile, plastics and paint manufacturing facilities, the list of potentially harmful chemicals is a long one.

It's not unusual for companies to fail to warn their customers about the potential dangers of these chemicals. LK's birth defect attorneys can assist families in fighting large corporations who put profits ahead of the health and safety of their employees and children.

Environmental Exposure

The experience of having a child born with a birth defect can be incredibly distressing for parents since it will require medical care throughout the lifetime of their infant. Some birth defects can result in mental and physical disabilities in the infant for the rest of their lives dependent on the degree of the defect.

While some birth defects are not preventable because of genetics, others can be triggered through exposure to chemicals or environmental factors during pregnancy. These can include prescription drugs or toxic chemicals that can be ingested by mothers, or even from chemicals that have affected the air or groundwater in the community.

Birth defect lawsuits are not only limited to medical malpractice. They may also be filed against individuals or companies who are responsible for the injuries of the child. For instance, if a physician prescribes a medication which increases the risk of your child's birth defect legal defect the doctor could be held responsible.

This is also true for those or companies that expose workers to dangerous chemicals and other substances. Numerous studies have shown that exposures to pesticides or fungicides, along with paints, metals and lead may increase the chance of a child developing certain types of birth defect. In order to solve this issue the courts have filed lawsuits against beauty salons, metal cleaning companies as well as semiconductor manufacturing facilities and painting factories. Development of a Web-based Integrated Birth Defects Surveillance system in New York State. Wang, Y., Tao, Z., Steen, P.M., Cross, P.K., Druschel, C.M. and Hwang, S-A. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. 14(6): E1-E10. 2008.