Birth Defect Lawsuits

Parents wish their children to be perfect, but in some cases that's not feasible. If this happens, it's important that parents who are shocked seek the assistance of a seasoned birth defects lawyers.

Birth defects and injuries can be caused by medical negligence or drugs that pose a risk as well as exposure to environmental hazards. A New York birth defect law firm can help you find answers.

Medical Malpractice

If a doctor does not adhere to the accepted standards of practice in his or her area, it is deemed medical malpractice. This could include failing to conduct routine prenatal testing or prescribing medications that increase the chance of having a birth defect or making a mistake during labor and birth.

Birth birth defects and birth injuries are usually the result of genetic and environmental causes, but occasionally they arise due to a doctor's negligence or Birth Defect Lawsuits malpractice. For birth defect lawsuits example when a doctor does not recognize a congenital disorder in the uterus and fails to notify parents of this disability, the parents may bring a wrongful birth claim seeking compensation for the lifetime expenses incurred by the disabled child.

A successful medical malpractice claim in birth defect cases requires that the physician has a responsibility to the patient of care, that the doctor violated this duty, the doctor's actions, or failure to act caused injuries and damages, and that the victim was harmed economically and non-economically due to the injuries. These damages may include costs of medical bills lost wages as well as pain and suffering and emotional distress.

Certain birth injuries and defects can be prevented by prompt testing and monitoring during pregnancy. It's important for pregnant women to adhere to their doctor's recommendations regarding their prenatal visits. If you suspect that medical negligence caused your child's birth defects you should contact a medical malfeasance and birth injury lawyer immediately.

Toxic Chemicals

Every year thousands of children are born with a kind of birth defect in the United States. These defects may be of different severity and affect the way that children behave, appear and functions. Some are minor, but others can cause serious problems and can even be fatal.

Birth defects can result from genetic anomalies or a range of chemcial or environmental factors. Exposure to harmful chemicals, for instance could cause serious problems in the infant. Our firm is committed in bringing employers to account when they expose pregnant women or their unborn children to harmful substances or medications.

In the scientific literature, it has been established that certain chemicals and toxins can traverse the placenta to affect the unborn child. These toxins are teratogenic. Teratogenic chemicals can cause birth defects like the cleft palate, lips and spina bifida.

While working, many mothers are exposed to a range of toxic chemicals. These chemicals can be breathed in or inhaled through the skin. These chemicals include industrial solvants such as ethylene glycol and ethers (EGE) which are used in the manufacture of semiconductors. Parents can also be exposed to these toxins when they are consuming certain over-the-counter and prescription drugs. This is because many pharmaceuticals have not been adequately tested on pregnant women and have been proven to cause birth defects.

Environmental Exposure

While genetic disorders are among the most common causes of birth defects, exposure to environmental factors can also be a significant factor. The presence of many different chemicals and toxins in the home, at work and in food can increase the risk of birth defects. This includes fungicides and pesticides and lead, as well as heavy metals, some paints and various chemical substances. Exposure to these toxic substances is almost always inevitable. If businesses fail to protect their pregnant employees, this is negligence and they can be held accountable.

Researchers are still trying to determine the precise cause of a birth defect. It could be that a combination of factors can cause the condition. The trick is to study these interactions in real time. The National Children's Study is important since it is currently in process in several states. The NCS will enroll 100,000 women from a representative population and monitor their progress over time as well as their children. This study will provide most comprehensive information about the effects of environmental factors on the health of children and fetuses.

Many parents who suffer from a birth defect in their child feel guilt because they believe they contributed to it. However, these defects are usually unavoidable. Our birth defect lawyers understand this and are committed to helping families with children with birth defects.

Product Liability

Birth defects can be caused by a variety of causes, from drug or alcohol consumption during pregnancy to genetic. Fortunately, most of these causes can be avoided. If your child was diagnosed with a medical issue which could have been avoided, you may be able to recover damages in lawsuits for birth defects.

A New York birth defect attorney will be able help you determine if your child's illness is due to an underlying chemical, medication or environmental exposure that is eligible for compensation. Based on the degree of your child's illness your legal team will also be able to determine the total cost of medical bills that are suitable for compensation.

Although the majority of birth defects are not caused due to medical negligence, there are instances in which a doctor or healthcare worker was negligent before or during labor and birth. A doctor could prescribe a medicine incorrectly, which causes harm to a baby even before birth, or may make an error during surgery.

Our birth defect lawyers have successfully pursued allegations that a mother's health care provider was exposed prescription drugs or toxic chemicals which increased the chances that she would give birth to a child who has birth defects. We have also filed birth defect lawsuits against companies that expose their workers to hazardous substances in the workplace, such as a paint factory or semiconductor manufacturing company.