Birth Defect Lawyers

When a child is born with a serious medical issue parents may end up burdened with medical expenses. If you believe that your child's birth defect was the result of medical negligence or exposure to certain drugs, then you may be entitled to compensation.

A Hudson, NY birth defects lawyer can help you seek justice.

Causes of Birth Defects

Some birth abnormalities are caused by mutations in the chromosomes or genes. These issues can be passed down from parents who have these abnormalities or can result from new mutations that occur in a fertilized egg. These problems can impact how the body is formed or how the body functions. These genetic issues could be either mild or severe.

Birth problems can also be caused by environmental factors during the fetal growth. Chemicals and toxins, such as those in industrial solvents (such as benzene), trichloroethylene used in dry cleaning, as well as perchloroethylene which is used in metal degreasing and painting) can cause birth defects. It is also possible to be exposed to lead, arsenic, mercury, or other heavy metals utilized in the manufacturing process or in power plants. These harmful chemicals, also called teratogens cause serious harm to a developing baby.

A medical professional may cause a birth defect through negligence, such as failing to diagnose or treat the mother's health problem during pregnancy or after the child is born. A doctor could be negligent if he / she prescribes medication that can cause a birth defect, or incorrectly administers a medication. Medical malpractice lawsuits are filed against the doctor who was responsible for the negligence. A birth injury lawsuit may be brought against an employer who places pregnant workers in a situation where they are exposed toxic substances.

Medical Malpractice

Birth defects are structural modifications in the body that can negatively affect its appearance or function. According to the CDC the conditions could affect any body part.

Parents often want to understand how a birth defect developed. The most commonly cited causes of these problems are medical negligence or exposure to teratogen chemicals. A seasoned birth defect lawyer can assist families investigate these causes of birth defects and make a claim against those responsible.

Birth injuries typically have a statute of limitations of only 1 year. This means that parents need to act quickly upon identifying an issue with their birth and determining the cause of the injury. This includes collecting bills and receipts, credit card transactions as well as other evidence to support the claim for compensation.

While it is nice to have more time processing the trauma of learning that a child was born with an injury or defect that was caused by birth it is not an option in an official case. It is important to consult with a seasoned birth defect lawyer who can take care of each step promptly.

Product Liability

Modern technology and medical advances have significantly reduced the risks associated with birth. However birth defects and injuries are still possible. If you believe that a medical professional was reckless or negligent during pregnancy, delivery and labor, your child could have suffered injuries. You could be entitled to compensation for your losses.

A birth defect lawyer from Levy Knigsberg LLP can assist you in determining whether or not you are eligible to bring a suit against the doctor, hospital, and other parties responsible. Our team has the resources and experience to safeguard your rights. This includes the services of specialized scientific and medical experts who are able to identify and link the problem of your child to exposure to chemicals.

Birth defects can vary in severity and can affect the appearance of a child, their quality of life, as well as their expected longevity. Our firm can offer expert guidance and advice into the merits of a case for your child's health condition if it is a result of medical negligence, prescription medication or exposure to toxic chemicals or environmental factors. Contact us today to start the process of obtaining compensation for your losses. We will review your case for you without charge or obligation. We only receive payment if we get your case settled or win it.

Toxic Exposure

Many people are exposed chemicals and toxic substances on a daily basis as part of their work or environments. Unfortunately some of these chemicals are known to cause birth defects (teratogens) and may harm babies. Parents who believe that their child's birth defect is related to exposure to chemicals may be qualified for compensation.

One of the main causes of birth defects is exposure to chemicals during pregnancy. Certain of these chemicals, including toxic solvents in the semiconductor industry are known to cause birth defects in newborn babies. Our firm has successfully dealt with many cases against the largest companies in the world in these matters, winning billions in settlement agreements.

In the utero period, exposure to organic solvents, such as toluene Trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) along with benzene and vinyl chloride at Camp Lejeune, are known to increase the risk of children developing hematopoietic cancers and birth defects. SSRIs and other prescription drugs like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are also believed to have been linked to a variety of birth defects.

Victoria Phillips is a partner at Phillips & Paolicelli, focusing on the complex litigation involving product liability and birth defect lawsuits against corporate defendants who cause the suffering and pain of families who have suffered through their negligence. She is a graduate of Williams College and Columbia Law School, and is admitted to the practice of law in New York and New Jersey.