Birth Defect Attorneys

One out of every 33 babies are born with an injury or birth defect. A skilled and compassionate birth defect lawyer can assist parents seek compensation for medical, therapy and other expenses relating to the child's disability.

While doctors strive to be perfect, negligence or malpractice can increase the danger of birth defects as well as injuries. A Boston birth defect lawyer can help parents obtain damages.

Medical Malpractice

A medical condition that a child has at birth can have devastating effects for the entire family. Although these conditions are typically due to genetics, they could also be caused by medical negligence. A Rochester birth injury lawyer can determine if medical experts involved in the birth of your child committed medical malpractice.

Medical malpractice can be committed by doctors who do not follow the professional standards of his or her field. These include taking simple steps to avoid problems during labor and delivery. An attorney for birth injuries will scrutinize all the evidence related to your child's case including medical records, and then work with experts in the field of medicine to determine if the doctors did not follow the standards of care.

Physical trauma during a difficult or complex delivery can result in injuries that can be minor or even life-threatening. Many of these injuries can be prevented by doctors who follow the correct medical procedures. These kinds of medical errors are usually the result of negligence or malpractice. The legal team at the Burton Law Group specializing in OK medical malpractice has helped many heartbroken parents discover the truth and obtain the compensation they deserve for their child's injuries. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you. The laws of the state where you reside set deadlines, also known as statutes, within which you must make a claim against a defendant. These statutes can vary depending on what type of claim you make (e.g. medical negligence).

Defective Products

Parents want perfect babies and healthy children but medical negligence or carelessness can increase the risk of birth defects. This can lead to the wrongful death or permanent injury of the child. A lawyer who is specialized in birth defects can help you bring a lawsuit against the parties responsible.

Birth defect lawyers are also able to investigate and prosecute cases that involve the unintentional exposure of women who are pregnant to harmful chemicals and substances at home or at work. Studies have shown that a variety of commonly used industrial and household items and chemicals, such as pesticides and lead paint, fungicides, and chemically treated sewage can increase the risk of birth defects in babies. An experienced attorney can challenge the companies that may have knowingly exposed the mother to these dangerous chemicals or toxic substances (teratogens) during pregnancy and seek out substantial financial compensation for the victim's family.

Birth injury lawsuits that involve medical negligence are similar to other personal injury claims like car accidents and defective product cases. Medical doctors and other professionals are, however, required to adhere to a higher level of care due to their training and the trust that patients place in their abilities. Many birth injury lawsuits can also be wrongful death lawsuits if a child is severely disabled and requires continuous care.

Prescription Drugs

Birth defects are serious issues that affect the appearance or functionality of specific areas of the body. They range from mild to severe and may significantly affect the health of infants. They can trigger serious emotional, medical and financial issues. In some instances, they could be fatal.

Many birth defects are genetic, caused by flaws in chromosomes of either the mother or father. In some cases they may be linked to environmental factors. They can be caused by exposure to prescription medicines and toxins or substances that have a teratogenic effect.

Certain birth defects have been linked to certain commonly used medications. These include the morning sickness drug Zofran and anti-seizure medicines like Topiramate, Valproate, or non-steroidal antiinflammatory medications (NSAIDs). These include limb defects eye defects, heart defects, brain and spinal cord defects, as well as other issues. Seizure medications have also been linked to miscarriages.

A birth defect lawyer can help parents with determining whether a child's birth defect was caused by the medication taken by the mother during pregnancy. Doctors have a duty to only prescribe medications that are safe for pregnant women. They also have to inform patients of the potential dangers. If a doctor does not fulfill this obligation can be held responsible for any birth injuries or defects.

Environmental Exposure

Birth defects are alterations to the structure of one or more components of the body of a newborn. While the majority of birth defects are caused by genetics and occur in the womb, other factors can be a contributing factor to their development. Other causes include environmental toxins, drugs taken during pregnancy by mother, and exposure to teratogenic chemicals or substances. These cases require the help of skilled and dedicated birth defect lawyers.

A birth defect lawyer can help a family file a lawsuit against a physician or drug maker, or another entity accountable for the birth defect of a baby. If the medical procedure, medication, or exposure of a toxic substance is the reason for a birth defect, then the doctor, drug maker, and other entities can be held accountable.

Waters Kraus & Paul handles complex cases including birth defects that result from exposure to environmental toxic chemicals, toxins and industrial solvents and prescription drugs. David Strouss, a partner at the firm, has handled the first birth defect lawsuits in the US arising from parental exposures to industrial solvents like glycol-ethers. He also has handled claims on behalf of agricultural workers and residents who live in the vicinity of pesticides and spraying. Ilana Waxman, Evan Hoffman and other firm partners are focused on environmental contamination. This includes asbestos, toxic torts and whistleblower litigation.