Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer
The discovery that your child is suffering from a birth defect can turn what should have been an exciting time into an anxious and uncertain one. It is imperative to contact an experienced medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer right away.
In order to receive the full compensation you are entitled to, you'll need to collect all your bills, receipts and credit card transactions. We have represented family members in lawsuits against large electronics firms, agricultural pesticide producers and commercial growers.
Medical Malpractice
Many birth defects are caused by medical errors or negligence that occurred during the pregnancy. Some of these problems are more severe than others but they can be all devastating for the child and loved ones. A medical malpractice lawyer can help determine if the doctor made an error that led to the defect or injury.
Doctors can identify birth defects by conducting screening tests during pregnancy. These tests can be conducted and interpret correctly to inform parents of the possibility that their child could have a birth deformity. This information will allow them to decide if they wish to terminate the pregnancy or prepare for the birth and treatment of the child. Medical malpractice could be committed when the doctor is unable to interpret or conduct these tests or if he or she fails to inform the parents of the results.
Treatments for birth defects are usually expensive. They can involve surgeries, specialists, medications, physical and speech therapy, and assistive devices. A wrongful birth lawsuit could assist in easing the burden of these costs. This will enable families to provide the support their child needs. Medical malpractice claims are highly complex and time-sensitive, hence it's crucial to engage an experienced attorney as quickly as you can.
Prescription Drugs
While modern technology and recent advances in the field of medicine have significantly reduced the risk of birth defects and injuries, they are still possible. Birth defects that are serious or moderate and injuries often require lifelong medical care. In some cases they can even lead to death. A Boston dangerous drug lawyer can assist parents obtain compensation for their child's present and future medical expenses, such as hospital procedures as well as doctor's visits rehabilitation services, assistive devices, and many more.
A doctor could be guilty of medical negligence if they prescribe a medication to a woman who is pregnant that increases her child's risk of having a birth defect. They must know which medications can negatively impact the growth of a fetus, and to not prescribe harmful drugs to the foetus.
Teratogens are prescription medication that increase the chance of a
birth defect. They include anti-seizure medications like Dilantin, Lamictal, Tegretol and Topamax. The FDA has advised against taking these drugs during pregnancy. They could increase the risk of cleft lips and cleft palates as well as heart, lung and brain abnormalities. They also increase the risk of miscarriage for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Parents may sue doctors, manufacturers of the medications and the pharmacists who sold them for not warning them of the risks.
Toxic Chemicals
Parents often ask what caused their child to be born with a birth deformity. Birth defects can be caused by a variety of factors, including the effects of medications and toxic chemical exposure during pregnancy.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth deformity. These problems can range from minor to serious and can even be life-threatening. In the majority of cases birth defects are an unfortunate genetic anomaly that occurs due to no fault of the mother. However, a significant portion of birth defects are caused by exposure to chemicals or other environmental factors that occurs during the womb. These chemicals are called teratogens. They increase the chance of developing functional or structural problems that cannot be reversed in offspring.
A lot of Americans are exposed to industrial chemicals on a daily basis. The list of potentially harmful chemicals is long, ranging from semiconductor and technology factories with clean rooms, to pesticides used in nurseries and farms, as well as automobile, paint, plastics and paint manufacturing facilities.
It's not typical for companies not to warn their customers about the potential dangers of these chemicals. The birth defect lawyers at LK can assist families in fighting large corporations who put profits over the safety and health of their employees and children.
Environmental Exposure
Parents can be extremely disturbed 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 infant. Some birth defects can result in physical and mental disabilities in the infant depending on the severity.
While some birth defects are not preventable due to genetics, many others are caused through exposure to chemicals or environmental factors during pregnancy. This includes prescription drugs as well as toxic chemicals that the mother may ingest, or chemicals that have been contaminated by groundwater or air.
Apart from medical malpractice,
birth defect law firm defect lawsuits can be filed against individuals or businesses 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 is also true for those who expose their workers to harmful chemicals and substances. Numerous studies have proven that exposure to pesticides, fungicides in combination with lead, metals, and paints can increase the likelihood of having a child with certain types of birth defects. In order to address this issue, lawsuits were filed against beauty salons as well as metal cleaning companies as well as semiconductor manufacturing facilities and painting factories. Web-based Integrated Birth Defects Surveillance in New York State. Wang, Y., Tao, Z., Steen, P.M., Cross, P.K., Druschel, C.M. Hwang, S.-A. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. 14(6): E1-E10. 2008.