Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

If you discover that your child was born with a birth defect what could be an exciting moment can quickly turn into a time filled with anxiety and uncertainty. It is important to contact a medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer immediately.

To receive the full compensation you are entitled to, you'll be required to keep track of all your bills, receipts and credit card transactions. We have successfully represented families in cases against big electronics companies, agricultural pesticide makers and commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice or mistakes that occur during pregnancy can be the cause of many birth defect law firms defects. Some of these problems are more serious than others however they can all be devastating to the child and loved ones. A medical malpractice attorney can help determine whether the doctor made an error that led to the defect or injury.

Certain birth defects are easily detected through screening tests that doctors conduct during pregnancy. If these tests are done and interpret them correctly, parents can be informed of the possibility that their child could have an abnormal birth. This information will allow them to decide if they want to end the pregnancy or prepare for the birth and treatment of the child. If the physician fails to conduct or interpret these tests, or if they fail to inform parents of the results, this could be considered medical malpractice.

Medical treatments for birth defect law firm defect are usually expensive. They may require surgeries, specialists, medications for speech and physical therapy, as well as assistive devices. A wrongful birth lawsuit may aid in easing the cost of these expenses. This will allow families to provide the support their child requires. Medical malpractice claims are highly complex and time-sensitive, hence it's important to hire an experienced attorney as quickly as possible.

Prescription Drugs

Although the advancement of technology and advances in the field of medicine have significantly reduced the risk of birth injuries and defects, they are still possible. Birth injuries and birth defects could be serious or minor and require ongoing medical attention. In some instances, they may even cause death. A Boston lawyer for dangerous drugs can assist parents to recover compensation to cover their child's medical expenses for the moment and future, including hospitalizations, doctor's visits, rehabilitation services, assistive equipment, and more.

A physician could be committing medical malpractice if they prescribe a medication to a pregnant woman that increases her child's risk of having a birth defect. They are required to know which medications could negatively affect the growth of the fetus and to avoid prescribing harmful medications to the fetus.

Teratogens are prescription drugs which increase the likelihood of a birth defect. These include anti-seizure medicines such as Dilantin and Tegretol. The FDA has issued a warning against the use of these drugs in pregnancy. They could increase the risk of cleft lips and cleft palates and brain, lung and heart abnormalities. These medications can also cause miscarriage for women who are pregnant or nursing. Parents can sue doctors, drug manufacturers and pharmacists for failing warn of the dangers.

Toxic Chemicals

Parents often ask the reason their child was born with a birth defect. However, many different factors could cause a birth defect, from side effects of medication to toxic chemical exposure in the uterus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1 out of 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These ailments can vary from minor to serious and even life-threatening. In the majority of cases, a birth defect is an unfortunate genetic anomaly that occurs due to no fault of the mother. However, a substantial portion of birth problems are the result of exposure to chemicals or environmental factors that occurs in the womb. These chemicals are known as teratogens. They increase the chance of irreversible functional or structural abnormalities in offspring.

Many Americans are exposed to industrial chemicals each day. The list of chemicals that could be harmful is extensive, ranging from semiconductor and technology factories that have clean rooms, to pesticides used on nurseries and farms as well as plastics, paint, automobiles, and paint manufacturing facilities.

It's not common for companies to fail to warn their customers about the dangers that could be posed by these chemicals. The birth defect lawyers at LK can assist families in fighting big corporations that place profits before the health and safety their workers and children.

Environmental Exposure

The experience of having a child born with an anomaly in the birth process can be extremely stressful for parents, since it requires medical attention throughout the life of their child. Some birth defects can cause mental and physical disabilities for the infant dependent on the degree of the defect.

Some birth defects cannot be avoided due to genetics. However exposure to chemicals or environmental factors can cause many others. These could include prescription medications or toxic chemicals that could be ingested by mothers, or even from chemical substances that have caused contamination of the groundwater or air in the community.

Aside from medical malpractice, birth defect lawsuits can be filed against businesses or individuals that are liable for the injuries suffered by the child. If a doctor prescribes a medication that increases the risk of birth defect, then they could be held responsible.

It's also the case for those who expose their workers to harmful chemicals and substances. Numerous studies have shown that exposure to pesticides and fungicides, along with paints, metals and lead may increase the chance of children developing certain types of birth defects. Because of this, lawsuits have been filed against beauty salons, metal cleaning operations, semiconductor manufacturing facilities, and paint factories for their role in the development of serious birth defects in children. Web-based Integrated Birth Defects Surveillance in New York State. Wang, Y., Tao, Z., Steen, P.M., Cross, P.K., Druschel, C.M. Hwang, S.-A. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. 14(6): E1-E10. 2008.