Birth Defect Litigation Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters

Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

If your child was born with a birth defect it could be devastating for you and your family. The cost of therapy, medical bills and other losses can quickly become a burden.

A Hyattsville birth defect lawyer could help you file a claim to recover compensation for the costs of caring for your child with disabilities. A legal claim for birth defects can be complicated, and you should consult with a legal professional whenever you can.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals must adhere to a certain standard when treating pregnant women or their infants. If the actions of a doctor fall below this standard and result in a birth defect or injury or injury, they could be held accountable for damages sustained by their patient. A DC lawyer who has experience in birth defect lawsuits can determine whether your child's condition was caused by a medical mistake during pregnancy or the birth.

A doctor may also be responsible for an injury to the fetus if they fail to identify or adequately respond to distress in the fetus. This could lead to many serious problems like hypoxic-ischemic neuropathy and brain injuries like cerebral palsy.

Birth injuries differ from birth defects in that they are caused by circumstances during pregnancy, delivery or labor. Injury can include Erb's Palsy, where the nerves controlling the infant's arms and legs are stretched or firms torn. Another form of injury is caput succedaneum - swelling of the scalp. Both can result in a lifelong disability, and ongoing treatment will cost lots of money. A Washington, DC lawyer who is an expert in birth defects may offer a free consultation to review your case, and decide on the best course for you and your baby.

Prescription Drugs

A birth defect lawyer could be able to help parents determine the reason for a child's birth injury, or defect. Many birth defects result from birth defects or genetics. However, certain medications can also cause birth defects. A number of commonly used medications can have a negative impact on foetuses. This is especially applicable in the early months of pregnancy. Anti-nausea medications, NSAIDs and chemotherapy drugs are among the most frequently used. These medications have been linked to an increased risk of limb deformities and brain defects, heart defects and craniosynostois.

It is the professional responsibility of doctors to be aware of these risks when prescribing medications for women who are pregnant. If doctors do not follow this standard of care, they may be held liable for malpractice. Pharma companies can also be held accountable for not adequately inform mothers of the risks that come with 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 a pregnancy.

A birth defect lawyer can help family members receive reimbursement for future and ongoing medical expenses resulting from the disability or injury as well as loss of earnings and the quality of life. This could include hospital fees medical expenses, doctor's fees and pharmaceutical costs, and other expenses, along with assistive devices and therapy.

Chemical Exposure

A birth defect lawyer can bring a lawsuit for families of children with congenital disabilities as a result due to the negligence of corporations that expose pregnant women to chemicals and medications that cause birth defects. These lawyers are specially-trained to determine the reason for birth defects, so that they can bring a suit against companies who expose pregnant women to teratogens at work or at home.

Some of the chemical exposures that can lead to birth defects are the fungicides, metals, herbicides and other pesticides. These chemicals are referred to as Teratogens as they interfere with the development of the fetus creating chemical changes that hinder normal cell function or cause organs to be malformed. These chemicals can be found in a variety of locations, such as semiconductor manufacturing and metal cleaning.

Other chemicals that may cause birth defects are the aliphatic hydrocarbons like dichloroethane or trichloroethylene perchloroethylene. These chemicals have been shown to cause birth problems, including cardiac defects in babies born to mothers exposed to them during the womb.

Parents have filed lawsuits against a variety of firms that were responsible for exposing the families of soldiers at Camp Lejeune to these harmful chemicals. Some of these birth defect lawyers have gotten significant settlements for families who had their children born with severe defects because of the toxic chemical exposures at the base.

Environmental Exposure

Certain birth defects may be caused by a combination of medical negligence and environmental factors. If a family believes the birth defect of their child may be the result of medical negligence, prescription drug overdose or exposure to harmful chemicals, they should contact an DC birth injury lawyer to discuss the issue.

Chemicals and other toxins in the environment can cause birth defects of a serious nature if they are ingested or taken in by pregnant women. Teratogens are the term used to describe these chemicals. More than 4 million chemicals can be found in our air, firms food and water. Some of these chemicals may be harmful to pregnant women.

Arsenic in drinking waters or cadmium in coal that has been contaminated for instance, can cause birth defect attorneys defects and other health problems. Industrial solvents like trichloroethylene, toluene, and benzene (a metal degreaser) are also linked with certain birth defects. Glycol-ethers are also known for their ability to increase the likelihood of birth defects occurring in women. These chemicals are used to manufacture semiconductors display devices, silicon chip displays and video displays.

LK's highly experienced birth defect lawyers have filed a variety of lawsuits on behalf of children who have suffered from a variety of birth defects due to improper exposure to chemicals and toxic substances at work or at home. These lawsuits involve complicated scientific analyses and expert witnesses, such as toxicologists and epidemiologists.