Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

When you discover that your child is born with a birth defect, what should be a joyful time can quickly become one filled with anxiety and uncertainty. It is crucial to contact a medical malpractice or birth defect lawyer right away.

You'll need to gather bills, receipts, credit card payments and other evidence of your losses to receive full compensation for your losses. We have represented family members in claims against large electronic companies, producers of agricultural pesticides and commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice or errors that occurred during pregnancy are the reason for numerous birth defects. Certain of these problems are more serious than others however, they can be all devastating for the child and loved ones. A medical malpractice lawyer can assist in determining if the doctor committed an error that caused the injury or defect.

Some birth defects are capable of being detected through screening tests performed by doctors during pregnancy. These tests can be performed and correctly to inform parents of the possibility that their child may have a birth defect. 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 can be a problem when the doctor is unable to interpret or perform these tests, or when he or she fails to inform the parents of the results.

Treatments for birth defects are usually expensive. They can require procedures, specialists, medications speech and physical therapy, as well as assistive devices. The money awarded in a wrongful birth lawsuit can help to ease the financial burden that is related to these costs and make it easier for families to receive the treatment their child requires. Medical malpractice lawsuits can be complex and time-sensitive. It's therefore important to find a reputable attorney immediately.

Prescription Drugs

While modern technology and recent developments in the medical field have significantly reduced the risk of birth defects and injuries, they are still possible. Birth defects and injuries can be mild or severe and often require ongoing medical attention. In some instances, they may even lead to death. A Boston dangerous drug lawyer can assist parents get compensation for their child's present and future medical costs, including hospital procedures, doctor's visits, rehabilitation services, assistive devices and more.

If a physician prescribes medication to an expecting mother that increases the likelihood of her child developing a birth defect, they could be guilty for medical malpractice. They are required to be aware of the medications that could negatively affect the growth of the fetus and not prescribe drugs harmful to the foetus.

Prescription drugs that increase the risk of having a birth defect are referred to as Teratogens. They include anti-seizure drugs such as Dilantin, Lamictal, Tegretol and Topamax. The FDA has warned against the use of these drugs during pregnancy. They can increase the risk of developing cleft lips and cleft palates and the brain, lung and heart abnormalities. These drugs also carry a risk of miscarriage for women who are pregnant or nursing. Parents may sue doctors, manufacturers of the drugs, and the pharmacists who gave them for failing to warn about the dangers.

Toxic Chemicals

When a baby is born with a birth defect, parents often wonder what was the cause. However, several factors can lead to the birth defect, ranging from drug-related side effects to exposure to toxic chemicals in utero.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 33 babies is born with a birth defect. These birth defects can be minor or serious, and sometimes even life-threatening. The majority of the time, a birth defect is an unfortunate genetic defect that occurs without fault of the mother. However, a substantial portion of birth defects are the result of environmental or chemical exposure that happens in the womb. These chemicals are referred to as teratogens and increase the chance of irreversible structural or functional abnormalities in offspring.

Many Americans are exposed to industrial chemicals each day. The list of chemical hazards that may be harmful is extensive, ranging from semiconductor and technology manufacturing facilities with clean rooms, to pesticides that are used on farms and nurseries and automobile, paint, plastics and paint manufacturing facilities.

It's not typical for companies not to inform their customers of the potential dangers of these chemicals. LK's birth defect attorneys can help families fight against large corporations who put profits before the safety and health of their employees and children.

Environmental Exposure

Parents can be extremely upset due to a birth defect in a child due to the fact that they will have to provide medical attention throughout the life of their child. Certain birth defects can result in mental and physical disabilities for the baby for life dependent on the degree of the defect.

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

In addition to medical malpractice birth defect lawsuits can be filed against businesses or individuals who are responsible for the injuries suffered by the child. If a doctor prescribes medication that increases the chance of having a birth defect then they could be held accountable.

It's also the case for those who expose their workers to harmful chemicals and substances. Many studies have shown that exposure to pesticides, fungicides or lead, as well metals and paints could increase the chances of having a child born with certain types of birth defects. To tackle this issue the courts have filed lawsuits against beauty salons, metal cleaning operations, as well semiconductor manufacturing facilities and painting factories. The 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. and Hwang, S-A. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. 14(6): E1-E10. 2008.