Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer
When you learn that your child was born with a birth defect, what should be an exciting moment can quickly turn into one of anxiety and uncertainty. Contact a medical malpractice lawyer and a
birth defect lawyer as soon as possible.
To receive the full compensation you deserve, you will have to keep all of your receipts, bills as well as credit card payments. We have successfully represented families in cases against big electronics firms, agricultural pesticide makers and commercial growers.
Medical Malpractice
Many birth defects are the result of medical errors or negligence that occurred during pregnancy. Certain of these problems are more grave than others, but all birth defects or injuries can be devastating for the child and their family members. A medical malpractice lawyer can determine if a doctor made an error that caused the defect or injury.
Doctors can detect some birth defects by conducting screening tests during pregnancy. If these tests are done and interpret them correctly, parents will be aware of the chance that their child will have birth defect. This information helps them decide if they want to end the pregnancy or prepare for the birth and treatment of the child. If the doctor is unable to perform or interpret these tests or fails to notify the parents of the results, this can be deemed medical negligence.
Birth defects and medical treatments can be costly. They can include procedures, specialists, medications physical and speech therapies as well as assistive equipment. The amount of compensation awarded by a wrongful birth lawsuit could help ease the financial burden associated with these costs which will allow families to access the care their child needs. Medical malpractice claims can be complex and time-sensitive. It's therefore important to find a reputable attorney as soon as you can.
Prescription Drugs
Although modern technology and recent advancements in the medical field have drastically reduced the risk of birth defects and injuries however, they're still very likely. Birth defects and injuries could be serious or minor and, in most cases, require ongoing medical attention. In some cases, they could even lead to death. A Boston lawyer for dangerous drugs can assist parents to recover compensation to cover medical expenses for the moment and in the future, such as hospitalizations, doctor's appointments, rehabilitation services, assistive equipment, and more.
A physician could be committing medical error if they prescribe medication to a pregnant woman that increases the risk of her child developing a birth deformity. They have a duty to know which medications can negatively affect fetal growth and not prescribe drugs harmful to the baby's fetus.
Prescription drugs that increase the risk of having a birth defect are referred to as teratogens. These include anti-seizure medications like Dilantin and Tegretol. The FDA has issued warnings regarding the use of these medicines in pregnancy. They can increase the risk of developing cleft lips and cleft palates, as well as the brain, heart and lung abnormalities. These drugs also carry a risk of miscarriage in women who are nursing or pregnant. Parents can sue doctors, the manufacturers of the medications and the pharmacists who prescribed the medications for failing to warn them of the risks.
Toxic Chemicals
If a child is born with a birth defect parents often ask themselves what the cause is. However, there are a variety of factors that can lead to the birth defect, ranging from the effects of medications to toxic chemical exposure in utero.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 33 babies is born with a birth defect. These problems can be anything from minor to severe and even life-threatening. The majority of the time, a birth defect is the result of genetic abnormalities. However, a significant portion of birth defects are caused by exposure to chemicals or environmental factors that happens during the womb. These chemicals are referred as Teratogens, and they increase the chance of developing functional or structural problems that cannot be reversed in offspring.
There are a huge variety of industrial chemicals that have been linked to birth defects as well as other reproductive harms and many people across the world are exposed to them every day. From semiconductor factories and technology with clean rooms to pesticides that are used on nurseries and farms, and automobile, plastics and paint manufacturing plants, the list of potentially harmful chemicals is long.
It's not common for companies to fail to warn their customers about the potential dangers of these chemicals. The
birth defect lawyers at LK can assist families fight big corporations that place profits before the safety and health of their employees and children.
Environmental Exposure
The experience of having a child born with an anomaly in the birth process can be incredibly distressing for parents, since it will require medical care throughout the life of their child. Some birth defects can lead to mental and physical disabilities in the baby for life, depending on the severity.
Certain birth defects cannot be cured due to genetics. However, environmental or chemical exposure can trigger a variety of other. These include prescription drugs, toxic chemicals that the mother might ingest, or chemical substances that have been found to be contaminated in groundwater or air.
Aside from medical malpractice, birth defect lawsuits may be filed against businesses or individuals who are accountable for the injury suffered by the child. For instance, if a physician prescribes a medication which increases the risk of your child's birth defect or birth defect, they could be found to be responsible.
It's also the case for individuals or businesses who expose their employees to harmful chemicals and other substances. Numerous studies have revealed that exposure to pesticides, fungicides and lead, as well as metals and paints can increase the chance of having a child who has certain types of birth defects. This is why lawsuits have been filed against beauty salons and metal cleaning facilities, semiconductor manufacturing facilities and paint factories due to their role in the development of serious birth defects in children. Web-based integrated birth defect 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.