Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

If you discover that your child was born with a birth defect, what should be a joyful time can quickly turn into a time filled with anxiety and uncertainty. It is imperative to contact a medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer immediately.

In order to receive the full compensation you deserve, you'll need to collect all your bills, receipts and credit card transactions. We have successfully represented family members in lawsuits against large electronic companies, agricultural pesticide manufacturers and commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice or errors that occur during pregnancy are the reason for many birth defects. Some of these issues are more severe than others however, they can be all devastating for the child and loved ones. A medical malpractice attorney can determine if the doctor made an error which led to the injury or defect.

Some birth defects are capable of being detected through screening tests that doctors conduct during pregnancy. When these tests are carried out and properly, parents will be aware of the possibility that their child could have birth defect. This information can help them decide if they want to end the pregnancy or prepare for the birth and treatment of the child. Medical malpractice can be committed when the doctor is unable to interpret or carry out these tests or if he or she fails to inform parents of the results.

Medical treatments for birth defect can be costly. These treatments include procedures, specialists, medications as well as speech and physical therapies as well as assistive equipment. The compensation a wrongful birth lawsuit could assist in easing the financial burden associated with these costs making it easier for families to get the treatment their child needs. Medical malpractice claims are highly complex and time-sensitive, therefore it's important to hire an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.

Prescription Drugs

Despite the advancements in medical science and the advancement of technology birth defects and injuries are still possible. Birth defects and injuries may be minor or severe, and they often require life-long medical care. In some instances they may even cause death. A Boston lawyer for dangerous drugs can help parents recover compensation to cover their child's medical expenses in the present and future, including hospitalizations, doctor's appointments, rehabilitation services, assistive equipment, and more.

If a physician prescribes medication to an expectant mother that increases the likelihood of her child's developing a birth defect they might be guilty of medical malpractice. They are required to know which medications can adversely affect the growth of a fetus and to not prescribe harmful drugs to the baby's fetus.

Prescription medications that increase the risk of having a birth defect are referred to as Teratogens. They include anti-seizure medications such as Dilantin, Lamictal, Tegretol and Topamax. The FDA has advised against taking these medications during pregnancy. These medications can increase the risk of Cleft palates, cleft lips and lung, heart and other brain abnormalities. These drugs can also lead to miscarriage in women who are pregnant or nursing. Parents can take action against doctors, drug manufacturers and pharmacists for failing warn of the dangers.

Toxic Chemicals

Parents often wonder what caused their child to be born with a birth defect. Birth defects can be caused by a variety of factors, such as medication side effects and exposure to toxic chemicals during pregnancy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These problems may be mild or severe or even life-threatening. The majority of the time, a birth defect is a result of genetic abnormalities. However, a significant portion of birth defects are the result of exposure to chemicals or environmental factors that occurs in the womb. These chemicals are referred to as Teratogens and increase the chance of developing functional or structural abnormalities that are not reverseable in offspring.

Many people in the United States are exposed to industrial chemicals every single day. From semiconductor and technology factories with clean rooms, to pesticides in nurseries and farms and even automobile, plastics and paint manufacturing facilities, the list of potentially harmful chemicals is extensive.

It's not common for companies to fail to inform their customers of the dangers that could be posed by these chemicals. The birth defect lawyers at LK can help families fight against large corporations that put profit over the safety and health of their employees and children.

Environmental Exposure

A child born with a birth defect can be extremely distressing for parents, as it will require medical treatment throughout the life of their child. Certain birth defects can cause mental and physical disabilities for the infant depending on the severity.

While some birth defect law firms defects are not preventable due to genetics, others can be triggered by environmental or chemical exposure during pregnancy. This includes prescription drugs or toxic chemicals that a mother could ingest, or chemical substances that are contaminated groundwater or air.

In addition to medical malpractice birth defect lawsuits may be filed against businesses or individuals who are accountable for the child's injury. If a doctor prescribes a medication that increases the chance of having a birth defect then they could be held responsible.

It's also true for those who expose their employees to harmful chemicals and substances. Numerous studies have shown that exposures to pesticides or fungicides, as well as paints, metals, and lead may increase the likelihood of children developing certain types of birth defects. In order to tackle this issue the courts have filed lawsuits against beauty salons, metal cleaning operations as well as semiconductor manufacturing facilities and painting factories. Development of a Web-based Integrated Birth Defects Surveillance System 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.