20 Things You Should Be Educated About Birth Defect Attorneys

Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

Being aware that your child has an anomaly in their birth can turn what should have been an exciting experience to a stressful and uncertain one. Contact an attorney for medical malpractice and a birth defect lawyer as soon as you can.

In order to receive the full compensation you deserve, you will need to collect all your bills, receipts and credit card payment. We have represented family members in claims against large electronic companies, agricultural pesticide producers and commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice or errors that occurred during pregnancy are responsible for numerous birth defects. Certain of these problems are more grave than others, but all birth injuries or defects can be devastating for the baby and their loved ones. An attorney for medical malpractice can assist in determining if the doctor committed an error that caused the injury or defect.

Certain birth defects are detectable through screening tests that doctors conduct during pregnancy. When these tests are performed and interpret them correctly, parents will be aware of the chance that their child may have birth defect. This information may allow them to choose to end the pregnancy or at least prepare for the child's birth and treatment. Medical malpractice is a crime in the event that a doctor fails to interpret or carry out these tests, or failing to inform the parents of the results.

Treatments for birth defects are often expensive. They can involve procedures, specialists, medications, physical and speech therapy, and assistive devices. The amount of compensation awarded by a wrongful birth lawsuit could help ease the financial burden that is associated with these costs making it easier for families to receive the treatment their child requires. Medical malpractice lawsuits can be complex and time-sensitive. Therefore, it's important to hire an experienced attorney as soon as you can.

Prescription Drugs

Despite the advances in medical science and advances in technology birth injuries and defects are possible. Birth injuries and birth defects can be mild or severe, and they often require ongoing medical attention. In some cases, they even cause death. A Boston dangerous drug lawyer can help parents receive compensation for their child's present and future medical expenses, which include hospital procedures as well as doctor's visits rehabilitation services, assistive devices, and more.

When a physician prescribes a medication to a pregnant mother that increases the risk of her child developing a birth defect, they may be guilty of medical malpractice. They are required to be aware of what medications affect the development of the fetus, and not prescribe drugs that are harmful to the fetus.

Teratogens are prescription drugs which increase the likelihood of having a birth defect. They include anti-seizure medication like Dilantin, Lamictal, Tegretol and Topamax. The FDA has issued warnings regarding the use of these medicines during pregnancy. These drugs can increase the risk of cleft lips, cleft palates and lung, heart and other brain abnormalities. These drugs also pose a risk of miscarriage in women who are pregnant or nursing. Parents can sue doctors, manufacturers of the medications and the pharmacists who dispensed them for not warning them of the risks.

Toxic Chemicals

If a child is born with a birth defect the parents often wonder what caused it. In reality, there are a variety of factors that could cause a birth defect, from drug-related side effects or exposure to toxic chemicals in utero.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth deformity. These conditions can vary from minor to serious and even life-threatening. Most of the time, a birth defect is an unfortunate genetic defect that occurs at no fault of the mother. However, a substantial portion of birth defects are caused by exposure to chemicals or environmental factors that happens during the womb. These chemicals are referred to as teratogens, and they increase the chance of irreversible functional or structural abnormalities in offspring.

There are a myriad of industrial chemicals that have been associated with birth defects as well as other reproductive harms and a lot of people across the country are exposed to them every day. From semiconductor and technology factories with clean rooms, to pesticides that are used on nurseries and farms, and automobile, plastics and paint manufacturing facilities, the list of potentially harmful chemicals is lengthy.

Most times, companies that manufacture these chemicals don't adequately test them for their potential adverse effects on humans, and it's not unusual to see them fail to include adequate warnings in their products or services. Our birth defect lawyers can assist families to fight big corporations that place profits over the safety and health of their employees and children.

Environmental Exposure

Parents may be very upset due to a birth defect in a child due to the fact that they will have to provide medical assistance for the entire life of their child. Some birth defects can lead to mental and physical disabilities in the child for life depending on the degree of the defect.

Certain birth defects cannot be cured due to genetics. However, environmental or chemical exposure can trigger a variety of other. This includes prescription drugs or toxic chemicals that a mother may ingest, or chemical substances that have contaminated air or groundwater.

In addition to medical malpractice, birth defect lawsuits can be brought against businesses or individuals who are responsible for the injuries suffered by the child. For instance, if a physician prescribes a medication that increases the likelihood of your child's birth defect and they are found to be responsible.

It is also true for those who expose their employees to harmful chemicals and substances. Many studies have shown that exposure to fungicides, pesticides and lead, as well as metals and paints can increase the chance of having a child with certain types of birth defects. To tackle this issue there were lawsuits filed against beauty salons, metal cleaning operations 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.