Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

Being aware that your child has a birth defect can turn what was supposed to be an exciting experience to an anxious and uncertain one. It is imperative to contact a medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer as soon as you can.

To receive the full compensation you deserve, you will have to pay all your receipts, bills and credit card payment. We have successfully represented family members in claims against large electronics companies, agricultural pesticide producers and commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice or errors that occur during pregnancy can be the cause of numerous birth defects. Certain of these problems are more severe than others however they can be all detrimental to the child and loved ones. A medical malpractice lawyer can help determine if a doctor made an error that led to the defect or injury.

Doctors can spot some birth defects by conducting screening tests during pregnancy. If these tests are done and properly, parents will be aware of the risk that their child will have birth defect. This information could allow them to choose to end the pregnancy or at the very least prepare for the child's birth and treatment. Medical malpractice can be a problem if the doctor birth defect lawyer fails to interpret or perform these tests or when he or she fails to inform the parents of the results.

Medical treatments for birth defects are typically expensive. They may require procedures, specialists, medications for speech and physical therapy, and assistive devices. The money awarded in a wrongful birth lawsuit could aid in easing the financial burden that is associated with these costs, making it easier for families to receive the help their child requires. Medical malpractice claims can be a bit complicated and time-sensitive. Therefore, it's important to hire an experienced attorney as soon as you can.

Prescription Drugs

Although the advancement of technology and developments in the field of medicine have greatly reduced the risk of birth injuries and defects however, they're still a possibility. Birth injuries and birth defects could be serious or minor and require life-long medical care. In some cases they can even lead to death. A Boston dangerous drugs lawyer can help parents recover compensation to cover medical expenses now and in the near future, which includes hospitalizations, doctor's visits, rehabilitation services, assistive equipment and more.

If a physician prescribes medication to an expectant mother that increases the chance of her child developing a birth defect they could be guilty for medical malpractice. They have a duty to know what medications can affect the development of the fetus, and not prescribe drugs that could be harmful to the baby's fetus.

Teratogens are prescription medications that increase the chance of having a birth defect. These include anti-seizure medications such as Dilantin and Tegretol. The FDA has warned against the use of these medications during pregnancy. They may increase the risk of cleft lips and cleft palates as well as brain, lung and heart abnormalities. These medications also pose a risk of miscarriage in women who are breastfeeding or pregnant. Parents can take action against doctors, drug manufacturers and pharmacists for failing warn of the dangers.

Toxic Chemicals

Parents often wonder the reason their child was born with a birth deformity. Birth defects can be caused by a variety of causes, including drug side effects as well as exposure to toxic chemicals during pregnancy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These problems may be mild or severe and can be life-threatening. Most of the time a birth defect is a result of faulty genetics. However, a significant number of birth defects are caused by environmental or chemical exposure that occurs during the womb. These chemicals are known as teratogens and increase the chance of irreversible functional or structural problems in offspring.

Many people in the United States are exposed to industrial chemicals each day. From semiconductor and technology factories with clean rooms to pesticides used in nurseries and farms as well as automobile, plastics and paint manufacturing facilities the list of harmful chemicals is a long one.

A lot of the time, corporations that produce these chemicals do not properly test them for potential effects on humans, and it's not uncommon for them to fail to include adequate warnings on their products or services. The birth defect lawyers at LK can help families fight against big corporations that put profits ahead of the health and safety of their workers and children.

Environmental Exposure

Being a parent of a child who has an anomaly in the birth process can be incredibly distressing for parents, as they will require medical attention throughout the lifetime of their infant. Some birth defects can result in mental and physical disabilities in the infant, depending on the degree of the defect.

While some birth defects are not preventable due to genetics, many others are caused by environmental or chemical exposure during pregnancy. These could include prescription medications or toxic chemicals that could be ingested by the mother, or even from chemicals that have been able to pollute the air or groundwater in a community.

Birth defect lawsuits are not only restricted to medical negligence. They can also be filed against individuals or businesses that are accountable for the injuries of the child. If a physician prescribes a medication that increases the risk of developing a birth defect, they could be held responsible.

It is also true for people or businesses who expose their employees to harmful chemicals and other substances. Numerous studies have demonstrated that exposure to pesticides, fungicides and lead, as well as metals and paints may increase the risk of having a child with certain birth defect law firms defects. To combat this issue, lawsuits were filed against beauty salons and metal cleaning operations 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. Hwang, S.-A. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. 14(6): E1-E10. 2008.