Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer
Learning that your child has a birth defect can turn what should have been a joyous time into an uneasy and uncertain experience. Contact a medical malpractice lawyer and birth defect lawyer as soon as you can.
To get the full amount of compensation you deserve, you will need to collect all your receipts, bills as well as credit card payments. We have represented family members in lawsuits against large electronic companies, agricultural pesticide manufacturers and commercial growers.
Medical Malpractice
Many birth defects are the result of medical errors or negligence that occurred during pregnancy. Some of these issues are more serious than others, but all birth defects or injuries can be devastating for the child and their family members. A medical malpractice attorney can help determine whether the doctor erred which led to the defect or injury.
Some birth defects are able to be detected by screening tests performed by doctors during pregnancy. These tests can be carried out and interpreted correctly to inform parents about the possibility that their child may be born with a birth defect. This information helps them decide whether to terminate the pregnancy or prepare for the birth and treatment of the child. If the physician fails to take or interpret the results of these tests or fails to notify the parents of the results, this may be considered medical malpractice.
Birth defects and medical treatments can be costly. They can require procedures, specialists, medications for speech and physical therapy, and assistive devices. The amount of compensation awarded by a wrongful birth defect lawsuit lawsuit can help ease the financial burden that is caused by these expenses and make it easier for families to receive 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 you can.
Prescription Drugs
Despite the advancements in medical science and modern technology, birth injuries and birth defects are possible. Mild or severe birth defects and injuries often require lifelong medical attention. In some instances, they may even cause death. A Boston dangerous drug lawyer can assist parents get compensation for their child’s present and future medical expenses, including procedures in the hospital, doctor’s visits, rehabilitation services, assistive devices and more.
If a doctor prescribes medication to a pregnant mother that increases the risk of her child developing a birth defect, they may be guilty of medical malpractice. They must be aware of what medications affect fetal development and not prescribe medications that are harmful to the fetus.
Teratogens are prescription medication that increase the chance of having a birth defect. They include anti-seizure medications such as Dilantin, Lamictal, Tegretol and Topamax. The FDA has warned against the use of these medications during pregnancy. These medications may increase the risk of having cleft palates, cleft lips and lung, heart and other brain abnormalities. These medications can also cause miscarriage for women who are pregnant, or nursing. Parents may sue doctors, drug manufacturers and pharmacists for failing to warn of the dangers.
Toxic Chemicals
Parents often ask the reason their child was born with a birth deformity. Birth defects can be caused by a variety of causes, such as medication side effects and toxic chemical exposure during pregnancy.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These conditions can vary from minor to serious and even life-threatening. The majority of the time birth defects are an unfortunate genetic anomaly that happens without fault of the mother. Birth defects can be caused by environmental or chemical exposure during the womb. These chemicals are called Teratogens, and they increase the risk of functional or structural defects that cannot be reversed in offspring.
A lot of Americans are exposed to industrial chemicals on a daily basis. From semiconductor and technology factories with clean rooms, to pesticides on farms and nurseries, and automobile, plastics and paint manufacturing plants, the list of potentially harmful chemicals is a long one.
It’s not unusual for companies to fail to warn their customers about the dangers that could be posed by these chemicals. The lawyers from LK’s Broken Arrow birth defect law firm defects can help families fight against big corporations that place profits ahead of the health and safety of their employees and children.
Environmental Exposure
Parents may be very upset by a child’s birth defect as they have to provide medical care for the entire life of their child. Based on the severity of the issue, some birth defects could cause physical and mental impairments for the infant.
Certain birth defects cannot be prevented because of genetics. However, environmental or chemical exposure can cause other. These can include prescription drugs or toxic chemicals which could be ingested by the mother, or even from chemicals that have been able to pollute the air or groundwater in the community.
In addition to medical malpractice, birth defect lawsuits are brought against businesses or individuals who are responsible for the injuries suffered by the child. For instance, if a doctor prescribes a medication that increases the likelihood of the birth defect of your child the doctor could be found to be responsible.
This is also true for those or companies that expose employees to hazardous chemicals and other substances. Numerous studies have demonstrated that exposure to pesticides or fungicides, along with paints, metals and lead can increase the likelihood of a child developing certain kinds of birth defects. This is why lawsuits have been filed against beauty salons, metal cleaning operations, semiconductor manufacturing facilities as well as paint factories for their role in the development of serious birth defects in children. Development of a Web-based Integrated Birth Defects Surveillance System in New York State. Wang, Broken Arrow Birth Defect Law Firm Y., Tao, Z., Steen, P.M., Cross, P.K., Druschel, C.M. and Hwang, S-A. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. 14(6): E1-E10. 2008.