Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

When you learn that your child is born with a birth defect, what should have been an exciting time can quickly become one filled with anxiety and uncertainty. It is important to contact a medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer as soon as you can.

You'll need to gather bills receipts, receipts, credit card payments and other evidence of your losses to receive the full amount of reimbursement for your losses. We have represented family members in claims against large electronics companies, agricultural pesticide producers and commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice or errors that occurred during pregnancy can be the cause of many birth defects. Some of these issues are more serious than others, but all birth defects or injuries can be devastating for the child and their loved ones. A medical malpractice lawyer can help determine if a doctor made an error that caused the injury or defect.

Some birth defects are easily detected through screening tests that doctors perform during pregnancy. If these tests are conducted and interpreted correctly, the parents can be informed of the chance that their child could have an abnormal birth. This information could permit them to terminate the pregnancy or at the very least prepare for the birth of the child and treatment. If the physician fails to perform or interpret these tests or fails to inform parents of the results, this may be considered medical malpractice.

Medical treatments for birth defect are often expensive. They can require procedures, specialists, medications for speech and physical therapy, and assistive devices. A wrongful birth lawsuit may assist in easing the financial burden of these costs. This will allow families to provide the support their child requires. Medical malpractice lawsuits are complex and time-sensitive, therefore it is crucial to find an experienced lawyer as soon as you can.

Prescription Drugs

Despite recent medical advances and the latest technology, birth injuries and defects are possible. Birth injuries and defects may be minor or severe and, in most cases, require life-long medical care. In certain cases, they can even lead to death. A Boston dangerous drug lawyer can help parents receive compensation for their child's current and future medical expenses, such as hospital procedures or doctor's office rehabilitation services, assistive devices and more.

If a doctor prescribes medication to a pregnant mother that increases the risk of her child's developing a birth defect, they could be guilty of medical malpractice. They must be aware of which medications may negatively impact the growth of a fetus, and to avoid prescribing harmful medications to the fetus.

Prescription medications that increase the risk of a birth defect are known as Teratogens. These include anti-seizure medicines such as Dilantin and Tegretol. The FDA has issued warnings against the use of these medications during pregnancy. These medications may increase the risk of developing Cleft lips, cleft palates and lung, heart and other brain abnormalities. These drugs also carry a chance of miscarriage in women who are nursing or pregnant. Parents can sue doctors, drug makers and pharmacists for failing to warn about the dangers.

Toxic Chemicals

Parents often ask what caused their child to be born with a birth defect. The truth is, many different factors can cause a birth defect, from side effects of medication to exposure to toxic chemicals during the uterus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 33 babies is born with a birth defect. These issues can vary from minor to serious and even life-threatening. The majority of the time, a birth defect is an unfortunate genetic defect that occurs through no fault of the mother. However, a large percentage of birth defects are caused by exposure to chemicals or environmental elements that takes place in the womb. These chemicals are referred to as teratogens, and they increase the likelihood of irreversible functional or structural abnormalities in offspring.

There is a wide range of industrial chemicals that have been associated with birth defects and other reproductive harm, and millions of people across the country are exposed them every day. From technology and semiconductor factories with clean rooms, to pesticides that are used on nurseries and farms and even automobile, plastics and paint manufacturing facilities the list of harmful chemicals is long.

It's not uncommon for companies to fail to inform their customers of the potential dangers of these chemicals. The team of birth defect lawyers at LK can assist families in fighting against corporations that put profits over the health and safety of their employees and their children.

Environmental Exposure

A child born with a birth defect can be extremely stressful for parents as it will require medical care throughout their infant's lifetime. Depending on the severity of the issue, some birth defects can result in lifelong mental and physical disabilities for the infant.

While some Birth Defect Lawsuit defects are not preventable due to genetics, many others can be caused by environmental or chemical exposure during pregnancy. These include prescription drugs and toxic chemicals that the mother may ingest, or chemical substances that have been found to be contaminated in groundwater or air.

Apart from medical malpractice, birth defect lawsuits can be filed against businesses or individuals who are accountable for the child's injury. If a doctor prescribes medication that increases the likelihood of developing a birth defect they could be held accountable.

It is also true for individuals or businesses who expose their workers to harmful chemicals and substances. Numerous studies have revealed that exposure to pesticides or fungicides as well as paints, metals and lead may increase the likelihood of a child developing certain kinds of birth defects. In order to tackle this issue the courts have filed lawsuits against beauty salons as well as metal cleaning operations as well as semiconductor manufacturing facilities and painting factories. The 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.