Birth Defect Lawsuits

Parents want their children to be perfect however sometimes it's not possible. When that happens, it is essential that parents in shock seek the assistance of experienced birth defect lawyers.

Medical malpractice, dangerous drugs and exposure to environmental hazards can lead to serious birth defect law firms defects and injuries. A New York birth defects law firm can assist.

Medical Malpractice

When a doctor fails to adhere to the accepted standards of practice in their field, it's considered medical malpractice. This could be due to failing to conduct prenatal testing or prescribing medications that increase the risk of birth defects or making a mistake during labor and birth.

Birth defects and birth injuries are often the result of genetic and environmental causes, but occasionally they are the result of the negligence or malpractice of a doctor. For example when a doctor fails to detect the presence of a congenital defect in utero and fails to notify parents of this condition, parents may bring a wrongful birth claim seeking compensation for the lifetime expenses associated with the handicapped child.

In order to prevail in a medical negligence case in birth defects the plaintiff must demonstrate that the doctor owed a duty of care to the patient, that he breached the duty, and that his actions or lack of action directly caused damage and injuries, and that he suffered economic and non-economic losses because of the injuries. These damages might include the costs of medical bills lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

Prenatal visits are essential to ensure that pregnant women are provided with the appropriate testing and monitoring. If you believe that your child's birth defect is due to medical malpractice, speak to an experienced medical malpractice lawyer and birth injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Toxic Chemicals

Every year, thousands of children are born with a kind of birth defect in the United States. These defects can vary in severity and impact the way a child looks and behaves throughout life. Some are minor while others can lead to serious issues that could be fatal.

Birth defects can be caused by genetic anomalies or a range of environmental and chemcial factors. For instance exposure to toxic chemicals can cause serious health issues for newborns. Our firm is determined to hold employers accountable for exposed pregnant women and their unborn babies to harmful chemicals or drugs.

In scientific literature, it is well-established that certain chemicals and toxins may traverse the placenta to affect an unborn baby. These toxins are known as teratogenic. Exposure to these teratogenic chemicals could cause birth defects, such as the cleft lip and palate, spina bifida and muscular dystrophy.

Many mothers are exposed to a wide variety of toxic chemicals when they are at work. These chemicals can be ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin of the body. These chemicals include industrial solvents such as ethylene glycol ethers (EGE) which are used in the fabrication of semiconductors. These toxins can also be ingested by parents when they take certain over-the counter and prescription drugs. Many drugs have not been adequately tested on pregnant woman and may cause birth defects.

Environmental Exposure

Environmental exposure is one of the main causes of birth defects. Genetic disorders are a common cause, but it's not the only cause. Many different chemicals and toxins that are found in the home as well as in food items can increase the chance of having a birth defect. These include fungicides, pesticides, lead, heavy metals, certain paints, and various chemical substances. Exposure to these toxins is usually unavoidable. But, when businesses do not take precautions to protect pregnant employees they're negligent and could be held responsible.

Researchers are still unable to pin down exactly what causes the birth defect in a specific way. It is possible that a combination between a variety of factors could cause the condition, but the difficulty is evaluating the effects of these interactions in real time. The National Children's Study is important because it is currently underway in a number of states. The NCS will enrol 100,000 women from representative populations as well as follow them and their children over the long term. This study will provide the most complete data to date on how different environmental factors influence fetal and child health.

Many parents suffering from a birth defect in their child feel guilty for having contributed to the problem, but it's often the case that these types of defects are inevitable. Our birth defect lawyers understand this and are committed to families who seek justice for children suffering from birth defects.

Product Liability

Birth defects can be caused by a variety of causes, from drug or alcohol use during pregnancy to genes. Fortunately, the majority of these causes can be prevented. If your child was born with a medical issue that could have been avoided or prevented, you could be entitled to recover damages through an action for birth defects.

A New York birth defect attorney can help you determine if your child's illness is due to a medication, chemical 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 full cost of the associated medical bills that are eligible for compensation.

Although the vast majority of birth injuries are not due to medical negligence There have been instances where a doctor has been negligent during or prior to labor and delivery. A doctor might incorrectly prescribe a medication that injures an infant before it is born, or they may make an error during surgery.

Our birth defect lawyers have successfully brought lawsuits against drug makers in cases where a mother's health care provider has been exposed to prescription medication or toxic chemicals that can increase the risk of her having a child with birth defect. We also have filed birth defect lawsuits against paint factories and semiconductor manufacturers that expose their workers to dangerous chemicals when they work.