Why Nobody Cares About Birth Defect Litigation

Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

If your child was born with a birth defect it could have a devastating effect on you and your family. The cost of therapy, medical bills and other expenses can quickly accumulate.

A Hyattsville lawyer that specializes in birth defects may be able to help you claim compensation to cover the costs of caring for your disabled children. A legal claim for birth defects could be complicated, so you should seek legal counsel as soon as possible.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals must adhere to a standard of care when treating pregnant women and their infants. When a doctor's actions are in violation of this standard and result in birth defects or injuries or injury, they could be held accountable for the damage suffered by their patient. A DC lawyer who is experienced in birth defect lawsuits can assist you in determining whether your child's health condition may have been caused by an error made by the medical professional during pregnancy or during delivery.

A doctor could also be the cause of an injury that occurs during birth if they fail to identify or adequately respond to distress in the fetus. This can result in a number serious problems including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and brain injuries like cerebral palsy.

The difference between a birth defect and a birth injury is that defects are a part of a person's genetic makeup and injuries are caused by something occurring during labor, pregnancy or birth. The most common injuries are Erb's Palsy where the nerves that control the baby's arms and limbs are stretched or torn. Another form of injury is caput succedaneum which is an inflammation of the scalp. Both of them can cause permanent disability and ongoing treatment will cost a lot of money. A Washington, DC lawyer who is specialized in birth defects will provide a no-cost consultation to analyze your case and determine the best course for you and your baby.

Prescription Drugs

A birth defect lawyer might be able to help parents determine the reason for the child's birth injury or defect. While many Birth Defect Law firms defects are the result of genetics and other factors that occur during the pregnancy of a mother however, they can also be caused due to medications. Certain common medications can have negative effects on fetuses. This is particularly true in the first three months of pregnancy. Anti-nausea medicines, NSAIDs and chemotherapy medications are among the most commonly used. These medications have been linked to an increase in risk of limb deformities and brain defects, heart defects and birth defect law firms craniosynostois.

It is the responsibility of a doctor to take into consideration the risks when prescribing medication for pregnant women. If doctors do not adhere to this standard of care, then they may be held liable for negligence. Pharma companies can also be held accountable for not adequately informing mothers about the dangers associated with their medication. Zofran is a medication used to treat nausea among cancer patients, has been shown to increase the risk of major defects during the first trimester pregnancies.

A birth defect lawyer can assist a family receive compensation for future and current medical expenses resulting from the disability or injury and also loss of earnings and the quality of life. This could include hospital, doctor's or pharmaceutical expenses, as well as aidive devices and therapies.

Chemical Exposure

A birth defect lawyer could bring a lawsuit on behalf of families of children who have congenital disabilities because due to the negligence of corporations who expose pregnant women to chemicals and drugs that can cause birth deformities. These lawyers are specially trained to identify what caused the birth defect so that they can file a lawsuit against companies who expose mothers to teratogens during the time they are working or in their homes.

Some of the exposures to chemicals that lead to birth defects are metals, fungicides, herbicides and other pesticides. These chemicals are referred to as Teratogens as they interfere with the healthy development of the fetus causing chemical changes that prevent normal cell function or create organs that are malformed. These chemicals are used in various settings, including manufacturing of semiconductors, cleaning of metals and paint production.

Other chemicals that can cause birth defects include aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, or perchloroethylene. These chemicals have been found to cause birth defects, such as cardiac defects, in babies born to mothers exposed to them in the womb.

Parents have filed lawsuits against a variety of companies that were involved in the exposure of families of soldiers at Camp Lejeune to these harmful chemicals. Some of these birth defect lawyers have secured significant settlements for families who have children who were born with severe defects resulting from the toxic chemical exposures on the base.

Environmental Exposure

Some birth defects can be caused by an unintended medical error and environmental factors or chemicals. If a family suspects a child's birth defects may be the result of medical negligence, prescription drug overdose, or exposure to harmful chemicals, they should consult a DC birth injury attorney to discuss their case.

Chemicals and other toxins in the environment can cause serious birth defects when they are consumed by or absorbed by pregnant women. Teratogens are the names given to these chemicals. Over 4 million chemicals are found in our food, air and water and some could be harmful if they come into contact with a woman who is pregnant.

For instance, arsenic in drinking water as well as cadmium derived from contaminated coal can cause various birth defects, as well as other health issues. Industrial solvents such as trichloroethylene, toluene, and benzene (a metal degreaser) are also associated with certain birth defects. Glycol ethers that are employed in the manufacturing of silicon chips, semiconductors and video displays, are known to increase a woman's risk of developing birth defects as well.

LK's skilled birth defect attorneys have filed a variety of lawsuits on behalf of children suffering from a wide range of birth defects resulting from unintentional exposure to toxic chemicals and chemicals at work or in their homes. These lawsuits often involve sophisticated scientific analysis and expert witnesses, including toxicologists or epidemiologists, geneticists occupational medicine specialists and embryologists.