Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

Finding out that your child has an abnormal birth defect can transform what should have been an exciting experience to an anxious and uncertain one. It is imperative to contact an experienced medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer right away.

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

Medical Malpractice

Many birth defects are caused by medical errors or negligence that occurred during the pregnancy. Some of these issues are more severe than others however they can be all devastating for the child and loved ones. An attorney for medical malpractice can help determine whether the doctor erred which led to the defect or injury.

Doctors can identify some birth defects by performing screening tests during pregnancy. When these tests are carried out and interpret them correctly, parents will be aware of the possibility that their child may have birth defect. This information can help them decide if they wish to terminate the pregnancy or prepare for the birth and treatment of the child. If the doctor fails to take or interpret the results of these tests or fails to notify the parents of the results, this could be deemed medical malpractice.

Treatments for birth defects are typically expensive. They can include surgeries, specialists, medication physical and speech therapies and assistive equipment. The amount of compensation awarded by an untimely birth defect attorney lawsuit can help ease the financial burden that is caused by these expenses making it easier for families to get the treatment their child needs. Medical malpractice lawsuits are extremely complex and time-sensitive, so it is crucial to find an experienced attorney as quickly as possible.

Prescription Drugs

Although modern technology and recent developments in the field of medicine have drastically reduced the risk of birth defects and injuries but they are still a possibility. Birth defects and injuries can be mild or severe and often require life-long medical care. In some cases they can even lead to death. A Boston lawyer who is knowledgeable about dangerous drugs will help parents obtain compensation to cover their child's medical expenses for the moment and future, including hospitalizations and doctor's appointments, rehabilitation services, assistive equipment, and much more.

A doctor could be guilty of medical malpractice if they recommend a medication to a woman who is pregnant that increases the chance of her child developing a birth deformity. They must be aware of the medications that could negatively affect fetal growth and to not prescribe harmful drugs to the embryo.

Prescription medicines that increase the risk of having a birth defect are known as teratogens. These include anti-seizure medication such as Dilantin and Tegretol. The FDA has issued warnings against the use of these medications in pregnancy. They may increase the risk of developing cleft lips and cleft palates and the brain, heart and lung abnormalities. These drugs can also lead to miscarriage for women who are pregnant, or nursing. Parents may sue doctors, drug makers and pharmacists for failing to warn of the dangers.

Toxic Chemicals

If a child is born with a birth defect parents often ask themselves what was the cause. Birth defects can be caused by a variety of factors, including adverse effects from medications as well as exposure to toxic chemicals during pregnancy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 out of 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These issues can be minor or serious, and sometimes even life-threatening. In the majority of cases, a birth defect is an unfortunate genetic defect that occurs without fault of the mother. Birth defects can be caused by chemical or environmental exposure in the womb. These chemicals are referred to as teratogens. They increase the risk of irreversible functional or structural abnormalities in offspring.

There are a myriad of industrial chemicals that have been associated with birth defects and other reproductive harm, and birth defect lawyer millions of people across the world are exposed to these chemicals every day. From semiconductor factories and technology with clean rooms to pesticides in nurseries and farms as well as automobile, plastics and paint manufacturing facilities, the list of potentially harmful chemicals is long.

It's not typical for companies not to warn their customers about the potential dangers of these chemicals. Our birth defect lawyers can assist families in fighting large corporations that put profit before the safety and health of their workers and children.

Environmental Exposure

A child born with an anomaly in the birth defect attorneys process is extremely difficult for parents, since it will require medical treatment throughout the lifetime of their infant. Certain birth defects can result in physical and mental disabilities in the infant for the rest of their lives, depending on the severity.

Some birth defects cannot be prevented because of genetics. However exposure to chemicals or environmental factors can cause many others. These could include prescription medications or toxic chemicals which could be consumed by the mother or from chemical substances that have been able to pollute the air or groundwater in a community.

Birth defect lawsuits are not only restricted to medical negligence. They may also be filed against individuals or companies who are accountable for the harm of the child. If a doctor birth defect lawyer prescribes a medication that increases the likelihood of developing a birth defect then they could be held accountable.

It's also the case for businesses or individuals who expose their employees to harmful chemicals and other substances. Numerous studies have demonstrated that exposure to pesticides or fungicides, along with paints, metals and lead can increase the likelihood of a child developing certain types of birth defect. In order to combat this issue, lawsuits were filed 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.