Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer
Finding out that your child has a birth defect could turn what should have been an exciting experience to a stressful and unsure experience. It is imperative to contact a medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer right away.
To get the full amount of compensation you deserve, you'll have to keep all of your bills, receipts and credit card transactions. We have successfully represented family members in claims against large electronic companies, agricultural pesticide manufacturers and commercial growers.
Medical Malpractice
Many birth defects are caused by mistakes in medicine or malpractice that occurred during the pregnancy. Certain of these problems are more grave than others, but all birth injuries or defects can be devastating for the baby and their loved ones. A medical malpractice lawyer can determine if the doctor made an error that led to the injury or defect.
Doctors can spot some birth defects through screening tests during pregnancy. When these tests are carried out and properly, parents will be aware of the likelihood that their child will have an abnormal birth. 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 is a crime when a doctor fails to interpret or carry out these tests, or in the event that he or she fails to inform the parents of the results.
Treatments for birth defects are typically expensive. They can involve surgery, specialists, medications for speech and physical therapy, and assistive devices. The compensation a wrongful birth lawsuit could help ease the financial burden caused by these expenses and make it easier for families to receive the treatment their child requires. Medical malpractice lawsuits can be a bit complicated and time-sensitive. It's therefore important to seek out an experienced attorney early enough.
Prescription Drugs
Although the advancement of technology and developments in the field of medicine have drastically reduced the risk of birth injuries and defects however, they're still a possibility. Birth defects and injuries could be serious or minor and often require life-long medical care. In some cases they may even cause death. A Boston dangerous drug lawyer can help parents receive compensation for their child's present and future medical expenses, which include hospital procedures and doctor's appointments, rehabilitation services, assistive devices and more.
If a physician prescribes medication to an expecting mother that increases the chances of her child's developing a birth defect, they could be guilty of medical malpractice. They must be aware of what medications affect the development of the fetus, and not prescribe medications that are harmful to the fetus.
Prescription medicines that increase the risk of having a birth defect are referred to as Teratogens. They include anti-seizure medications like Dilantin, Lamictal, Tegretol and Topamax. The FDA has issued warnings regarding the use of these drugs in pregnancy. They may increase the risk of developing cleft lips and cleft palates, as well as heart, lung and brain abnormalities. These drugs can also lead to miscarriage for women who are pregnant or nursing. Parents can sue doctors, drug makers and pharmacists for failing to warn about the dangers.
Toxic Chemicals
When a baby is born with a birth defect, the parents often wonder what the cause is. Birth defects can be caused by a variety of causes, including adverse effects from medications as well as exposure to toxic chemicals during pregnancy.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These conditions can range from minor to major and can even be life-threatening. A lot of the time, a birth defect is an unfortunate genetic anomaly that occurs at no fault of the mother. However, a significant portion of birth problems are the result exposure to chemicals or other environmental factors that occurs during the womb. These are known as Teratogens and increase the risk of functional or structural problems that cannot be reversed in offspring.
A lot of Americans are exposed to industrial chemicals every day. From semiconductor factories and technology with clean rooms, to pesticides that are used on nurseries and farms as well as automobile, plastics and paint manufacturing facilities, the list of potentially harmful chemicals is extensive.
It's not common for companies to fail to inform their customers of the potential dangers of these chemicals. LK's
birth defect attorneys can assist families to fight large corporations that put profit ahead of the health and safety of their employees and children.
Environmental Exposure
A child born with a
birth defect attorney defect is extremely difficult for parents as it requires medical attention throughout the life of their child. Some birth defects can result in mental and physical disabilities in the infant for the rest of their lives, depending on the severity.
While certain birth defects are unavoidable due to genetics. Many others can be triggered by exposure to chemicals or environmental elements during pregnancy. This includes prescription drugs or toxic chemicals that a mother may ingest, or chemical substances that are contaminated groundwater or air.
Birth defect lawsuits are not only restricted to medical negligence. They are also filed against individuals or businesses who are responsible for the injuries of the child. For instance, if a doctor prescribes a drug that increases the chances of the birth defect of your child, they may be held responsible.
It is also true for businesses or individuals who expose their employees to harmful chemicals and other substances. Many studies have shown that exposure to fungicides, pesticides or lead, as well metals and paints can increase the likelihood of having a child with certain birth defects. For this reason, lawsuits have been filed against beauty salons and metal cleaning operations, semiconductor manufacturing facilities as well as paint factories for their involvement in the development of serious birth defects in children. Web-based integrated birth defect surveillance 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.