Birth Defect Lawsuits

While advances in medicine have dramatically reduced the risk of pregnancies, many birth defects and injuries are the result of negligence. Parents who have lost their children due to exposure to chemicals at work or incorrectly prescribed medications are often able to claim compensation.

Many states have a statute of limitations of only one year, so getting in touch with an attorney sooner rather than later is critical. An experienced lawyer can assist clients and help them determine the monetary worth of their case.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice claims can arise at any time during the labor, pregnancy or birth process. A medical malpractice claim can be filed if a physician does not adhere to the accepted standards of practice and this failure causes injury or birth defects.

Doctors must assess an expecting mother's current medication and take into consideration any health issues she might have. They should also inform her of potential risks for her unborn baby. If a doctor does not fulfill these obligations and causes harm, they may be held responsible for medical malpractice.

A birth defect lawyer can assist you in determining whether the medical malpractice claim is valid and help you through the legal process. Medical malpractice claims are an extremely sensitive issue, which is why you'll need a seasoned lawyer you can count on.

The sooner you can begin the sooner you can begin. A skilled birth defect attorney can assist you with filing the claim before the state's statute of limitation expires. The majority of states give you a single year to file a medical negligence lawsuit, and resolving such a devastating incident requires time. You require an attorney who can act quickly to gather the evidence and records that you need to prove your case. This is especially true when your baby suffers an injury from negligence in the medical field, since the faster you initiate legal action, the more evidence you'll need to prove your case.

Environmental Causes

Although birth defects caused by genetics are the primary cause of cases, environmental causes also contribute. These causes aren't always known to science however, they could include the mother's exposure at work or home to harmful chemicals. These chemicals, such as solvents paint thinners, solvents processing chemicals, cleaning fluids and certain alloys of metal can increase the likelihood of having a child develop birth defects. These types of exposures have been the basis for birth defect lawsuits filed by attorneys from LK's on behalf of clients who work in beauty salons, paint factories, and semiconductor manufacturing facilities, among other industries.

Unfortunately, the majority of birth defects that are severe result from environmental or genetic causes which cannot be controlled by lifestyle choices or medical treatments. Researchers and doctors have difficulty determining the cause of the birth defect. The only way to decrease the incidence of birth defects is to educate women who are expecting and encourage them to be cautious with their food choices, medications and lifestyle choices.

A medical malpractice case that involves a birth defect is different from a standard personal injury suit in that a birth defect case requires an understanding of both legal and medical issues. Our birth defect attorneys are knowledgeable of these complex cases and will fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve.

Drugs

Medications taken during pregnancy can cause birth defects. These include facial and limb anomalies and eye disorders, as well as brain and spinal cord problems, among other things. If a child is affected by a birth defect because of medication, the family could have an opportunity to sue the drug manufacturer in a lawsuit for product liability.

Birth defects can also be caused through exposure to prescription drugs or toxic chemicals, as well as other environmental factors during the first three months, which is an essential time for development. A birth defect lawyer can help you evaluate your legal options should your child's birth defect might be due to medication.

Many drug companies are required to test their products thoroughly before they release them to the public, and they are required to provide information regarding the possible adverse side effects. If a manufacturer is found to be selling drugs that cause grave birth defects, parents may seek compensation through a lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.

NSAIDs, lithium, angiotensin-II antagonists and cancer drugs like thalidomide and diethylstilbestrol could all cause birth defects. LK's medical negligence attorneys have secured billions of dollars for families whose children were injured by these and other pharmaceutical drugs. The firm has also fought cases in which children were exposed to toxic chemicals at work, or from environmental pollutants.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is among the most exciting, but stressful experiences in a woman's lifetime. However, if something goes wrong during this time, the consequences could be severe. Birth defects that cause serious harm can affect the child's limbs and heart, brain or overall body function. This can limit the expected lifespan of a child and cause tremendous pain to their parents.

Certain birth defects are genetic. Other birth defects can be caused by the negligence of medical professionals as well as hospital staff. This includes prescribing drugs that can cause birth defects, or putting in the wrong dosage. It could also be as simple as failing to monitor the health of the fetus or exposing the mother to harmful chemicals during her pregnancy.

If a parent suspects that their child's birth defect or birth injury is due to medical negligence, they should seek out a New York birth defect attorney immediately. A lawyer can assist in determining the best way to proceed and the amount of compensation a parent is entitled to.

Birth defects can be caused by medical negligence, drugs, environmental causes or a combination of. The skilled New York birth defect lawyers at Finz & Finz on Long Island and in New York City can help when you suspect that your child's condition is due to the negligence of another. Call us toll-free now for a free case strategy session.