20 Fun Facts About Birth Defect Attorneys

Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

The discovery that your child is suffering from a birth defect could turn what was supposed to be an exciting experience to an uneasy and uncertain experience. Contact an attorney for medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer as soon as is possible.

You'll need bills, receipts, credit card payments and other evidence of your losses to be able to claim full settlement for your losses. We have successfully represented family members in claims against large electronics companies, birth defect lawsuits producers of agricultural pesticides and commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

Many birth defects are caused by medical errors or negligence that occurred during pregnancy. Some of these issues are more severe than others, but any birth defect or injury can be devastating for the child and their family members. An attorney for medical malpractice can determine if the doctor committed an error that led to the injury or defect.

Some birth defects are capable of being detected through screening tests performed by doctors during pregnancy. When these tests are carried out and properly, parents can be informed of the possibility that their child may have an abnormal birth. This information can enable them to decide to end the pregnancy or at a minimum, prepare for the birth of the child and treatment. Medical malpractice is a crime when a doctor fails to interpret or carry out these tests, or if he or she fails to inform the parents of the results.

Medical treatments for birth defect are often expensive. They can involve surgeries, specialists, medications, physical and speech therapy, as well as assistive devices. A lawsuit for wrongful birth could aid in easing the burden of these costs. This will enable families to provide the medical care their child requires. Medical malpractice lawsuits are complex and time-sensitive, hence it is essential to choose a reputable attorney as soon as you can.

Prescription Drugs

Despite the advancements in medical science and modern technology birth defects and injuries are still possible. Mild or severe birth defects and injuries typically require a lifetime of medical attention. In some cases they may even cause death. A Boston lawyer for dangerous drugs can assist parents in obtaining compensation to cover medical expenses for the moment and in the future, such as hospitalizations, doctor's appointments, rehabilitation services, assistive equipment, and more.

A doctor could be guilty of medical malpractice if they recommend a medication to a pregnant woman who increases the likelihood of her child developing a birth deformity. They are required to know which medications could negatively impact the growth of a fetus, and to avoid prescribing harmful medications to the embryo.

Teratogens are prescription medication that can increase the chance of a birth defect. These include anti-seizure medications like Dilantin and Tegretol. The FDA has issued warnings against the use of these drugs in pregnancy. These medications can increase the risk of cleft palates, cleft lips and heart, lung and other brain disorders. They also increase the possibility of miscarriage among women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Parents can sue doctors, drug makers and pharmacists for failing warn about the dangers.

Toxic Chemicals

When a baby is born with a birth defect, parents often wonder what caused it. The truth is, a number of different factors can cause a birth defect, from the effects of medications to exposure to toxic chemicals during the uterus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These problems can be serious or minor, and sometimes even life-threatening. Most of the time, a birth defect is the result of genetic abnormalities. However, a significant number of birth defects are the result of exposure to chemicals or environmental factors which occurs during the womb. These chemicals are referred to as teratogens and they increase the risk of structural or functional abnormalities that are not reverseable in offspring.

There is a wide range of industrial chemicals that have been associated with birth defects and other reproductive harms and many people around the country are exposed to these chemicals every day. The list of potentially harmful chemicals is long, and includes everything from semiconductor and technology factories with clean rooms, to pesticides used on farms and nurseries and plastics, paint, automobiles, and paint manufacturing facilities.

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

Environmental Exposure

Parents can be extremely distressed by a child's birth defect, as they will need to provide medical care throughout the life of their infant. Certain birth defects can lead to mental and physical disabilities in the child for life, depending on the degree of the defect.

While certain birth defects are unavoidable because of genetics, others can be caused by environmental or chemical exposure during pregnancy. These include prescription medications and toxic chemicals that the mother could ingest, or chemical substances that have been found to be contaminated in groundwater or air.

Apart from medical malpractice, birth defect lawsuits can also be filed against companies or individuals who are responsible for the injury suffered by the child. If a physician prescribes a medication that increases your child's chance of having a birth defect then they could be held responsible.

The same is true for companies or individuals who expose employees to hazardous chemicals and other substances. Numerous studies have shown exposure to pesticides, fungicides along with metals, paints, and lead may increase the chance of a child developing certain types of birth defects. For this reason, lawsuits have been filed against beauty salons as well as 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. and Hwang, S-A. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. 14(6): E1-E10. 2008.