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 losses can quickly accumulate.

A Hyattsville birth defect lawyer could help you file claim for compensation for the expenses of caring for your disabled child. Legal claims for birth defects are complex and it is essential to seek legal advice immediately.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals must follow a standard when treating pregnant women or their infants. When a doctor's actions do not meet the standards and result in birth defects or injuries and/or death, they may be held liable for the injuries suffered by their patient. A DC lawyer with experience in birth defect lawsuits can assist you in determining whether your child's condition was caused by a medical mistake during pregnancy or during delivery.

A doctor could also be accountable for an injury to the fetus if they fail in diagnosing or adequately respond to distress in the fetus. This can result in a number serious problems including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and brain injuries such as cerebral palsy.

Birth injuries differ from birth defects in that they are caused by events during pregnancy, delivery, or labor. The most common injuries are Erb's Palsy where the nerves that control the infant's arms and legs are stretched or torn. Another form of injury is caput succedaneum which is an increase in the size of the scalp. Both can result in a permanent disability, and continued treatment will cost lots of money. A Washington, DC lawyer who specializes in birth defects can offer a free consultation in order to review your case, and determine the most appropriate course for you and your baby.

Prescription Drugs

A birth defect lawyer might be able to help parents determine the reason for a child's birth injury, or defect. While many birth defects are the result of genetics and other factors that occur during the mother's pregnancy however, they may also occur as a result of medications. A variety of common medications can have a negative impact on the fetuses. This is especially true in the first three months of pregnancy. This includes anti-nausea medication and NSAIDs as well as chemotherapy medications as well as certain antibiotics, and many more. These drugs have been proven to increase the risk of developing limb and brain defects, heart defects and craniosynostois.

It is the duty of a doctor to take into consideration the risks when prescribing medication for pregnant women. If doctors do not follow this standard of care, then they may be held liable for negligence. Pharma companies can also be held accountable for not properly informing mothers about the dangers of their medication. For instance, Zofran, a medication used to treat nausea in cancer patients, has been shown to significantly increase the risk of congenital defects that are major in the first trimester of pregnancy.

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

Chemical Exposure

A birth defect lawyer can bring an action on behalf of the families of children suffering from congenital disabilities that result from the negligence of businesses which expose pregnant women to chemicals or drugs that cause birth defects. These lawyers are specially trained to determine the reason for the birth defect, so they can bring a lawsuit against the companies who expose mothers to teratogens during the time they work or at their homes.

Metals, fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides are just a few of the chemicals that can cause birth defects. They are referred to as Teratogens as they interfere with the development of the fetus through causing chemical changes that prevent normal cell function or lead to organs that are malformed. These chemicals are used in diverse settings like manufacturing of semiconductors, cleaning of metals and paint production.

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

Parents have filed lawsuits against various companies who were responsible for exposing the families of soldiers at Camp Lejeune to these harmful chemicals. Some of the birth defect lawyers have gotten significant settlements for families who had their children born with severe defects as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals at the base.

Environmental Exposure

Some birth defects are caused by a combination between medical negligence and environmental conditions. If a family suspects that the birth defect of their child may be the result of medical negligence, prescription drug abuse or exposure to toxic chemicals, they should consult a DC birth injury lawyer to discuss the matter.

Chemicals and other contaminants in the environment can cause serious birth defects when they are inhaled or taken in by pregnant women. These substances are referred to as Teratogens. More than 4 million chemicals are found in our air, food and water Some of them can be harmful when they come into contact with a woman who is pregnant.

Arsenic from drinking water or cadmium from coal that is contaminated for instance, could cause birth defects and other health problems. Industrial solvents like trichloroethylene, benzene, and toluene (a metal degreaser) are also linked to certain birth defect law firm defects. Glycol-ethers, which are used in the production of silicon chips, semiconductors and video displays are well-known to increase the risk of birth defects.

LK's highly experienced birth defect lawyers have brought numerous lawsuits on behalf of children who suffer from a myriad of birth defect attorney defects caused by unintentional exposure to toxic chemicals and chemicals at work or at home. These lawsuits usually involve a an extensive scientific analysis as well as experts, birth defect lawyers such as toxicologists as well as epidemiologists, geneticists occupational medicine specialists and embryologists.