Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

Being aware that your child has a birth defect could turn what should have been an enjoyable experience into a stressful and unsure experience. It is crucial to contact an attorney for medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer as soon as you can.

To get the full amount of compensation you deserve, you will have to keep all of your receipts, bills as well as credit card payments. We have successfully represented family members in lawsuits against large electronics firms, agricultural pesticide producers and commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

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

Doctors can identify birth defects by performing screening tests during pregnancy. When these tests are performed and interpreted correctly, the parents can be informed of the likelihood that their child will have birth defect. This information will allow them to decide if they want to end the pregnancy or prepare for the birth and treatment of the child. Medical malpractice can be committed in the event that a doctor fails to interpret or perform these tests or failing to inform the parents of the results.

Birth defects and medical treatments can be costly. They can include surgeries, specialists, medication therapy, physical and speech as well as assistive equipment. A lawsuit for wrongful birth could aid in easing the burden of these costs. This will enable families to provide the support their child requires. Medical malpractice claims are highly complicated and time-sensitive, which is why it is essential to choose a reputable attorney as soon as you can.

Prescription Drugs

Although the advancement of technology and advances in the field of medicine have greatly reduced the risk of birth defects and injuries but they are still a possibility. Birth injuries and birth defects may be minor or severe and often require life-long medical care. In some instances, they may even lead to death. A Boston lawyer who is knowledgeable about dangerous drugs can assist parents in obtaining compensation to cover medical expenses now and in the future, including hospitalizations, doctor's appointments, rehabilitation services, assistive equipment, and more.

A doctor could be guilty of medical error if they prescribe medication for a pregnant woman that increases the chance of her child having a birth defect. They have a duty to be aware of what medications affect the development of the fetus, birth defect lawsuits and not prescribe drugs that could be harmful to the embryo.

Prescription medications that increase the risk of a birth defect are known as Teratogens. They include anti-seizure medications such as Dilantin, Lamictal, Tegretol and Topamax. The FDA has advised against taking these medications during pregnancy. They can increase the risk of developing cleft lips and cleft palates as well as brain, lung and heart abnormalities. These drugs also pose a risk of miscarriage for women who are breastfeeding or pregnant. Parents can sue doctors, the makers of the drugs, and the pharmacists who prescribed them for not warning about the dangers.

Toxic Chemicals

Parents often wonder what caused their child to be born with a birth deformity. The truth is, a number of different factors could cause the birth defect, ranging from drug-related side effects to 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 sometimes even life-threatening. A lot of the time birth defects are an unfortunate genetic anomaly that occurs at no fault of the mother. Birth defects are often caused by chemical or environmental exposure in the womb. These chemicals are called teratogens and they increase the chance of developing structural or functional abnormalities which are not reversible in offspring.

Many Americans are exposed to industrial chemicals on a daily basis. From semiconductor factories and technology with clean rooms to pesticides that are used on nurseries and farms, and automobile, plastics and paint manufacturing facilities the list of harmful chemicals is lengthy.

A lot of the time, the companies that make these chemicals don't properly test them for their potential adverse effects on humans, and it's not uncommon to see them fail to include adequate warnings on their products or services. Our birth defect lawyers can assist families fight large corporations who put profits before the health and safety their employees and children.

Environmental Exposure

The experience of having a child born with an anomaly in the birth process can be extremely distressing for parents, as it will require medical care throughout the life of their child. Certain birth defects can lead to physical and mental disabilities in the infant dependent on the degree of the defect.

While some birth defects are not preventable due to genetics. Many others can be caused through exposure to chemicals or environmental factors during pregnancy. These include prescription drugs or toxic chemicals that could be consumed by the mother or from chemicals that have been able to pollute the air or groundwater in the community.

Aside from medical malpractice, birth defect lawsuits are filed against companies or individuals who are responsible for the injuries suffered by the child. For instance, if a physician prescribes a medicine that increases the likelihood of your child's birth defect and they are held responsible.

The same applies to those or companies that expose workers to dangerous chemicals and other substances. Numerous studies have demonstrated that exposure to fungicides, pesticides in combination with lead, metals, and paints can increase the chance of having a child born with certain types of birth defects. This is why lawsuits have been filed against beauty salons and metal cleaning operations, semiconductor manufacturing facilities as well as paint factories due to their role in the development of serious birth defects in children. Development of a Web-based Integrated Birth Defects Surveillance System for 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.