5 Killer Quora Answers On Birth Defect Attorneys

Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

Finding out that your child has a birth defect could turn what was supposed to be an exciting time into an anxious and uncertain one. It is important to contact a medical malpractice or birth defect lawyer as soon as you can.

You'll need to collect bills as well as receipts, credit cards payments and other evidence of your losses in order to get full compensation for your damages. We have successfully represented families in court cases against large electronics companies as well as agricultural pesticide producers and commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice or errors that occur during pregnancy are responsible for numerous birth defects. Some of these issues are more severe than others however, they can all be devastating for the child and loved ones. A medical malpractice lawyer will help determine if the doctor's error that caused the injury or defect.

Doctors can detect some birth defects by performing screening tests during pregnancy. When these tests are performed and interpreted correctly, the parents can be informed of the risk that their child will have birth defect. This information can enable them to decide to terminate the pregnancy, or at the very least plan for the child's birth and treatment. Medical malpractice is a crime in the event that a doctor fails to interpret or perform these tests or in the event that he or she fails to inform the parents of the results.

Birth defects and medical treatments can be costly. The treatments may include surgeries, specialists, medication, physical and speech therapies and assistive devices. A lawsuit based on wrongful birth can assist in easing the cost of these expenses. This will allow families to provide the support their child needs. Medical malpractice lawsuits are often complex and time-sensitive. It's therefore important to get a skilled attorney immediately.

Prescription Drugs

Despite the advancements in medical science and advances in technology, birth injuries and birth defects are possible. Birth injuries and defects could be serious or minor and often require life-long medical care. In certain cases, they can even lead to death. A Boston dangerous drug lawyer can help parents obtain compensation for their child's present and future medical costs, including procedures in the hospital and doctor's appointments, rehabilitation services, assistive devices, and more.

If a physician prescribes medication to an expectant mother that increases the likelihood of her child developing a birth defect, they may be guilty of medical malpractice. They have a duty to be aware of the medications that can affect the development of the fetus, and not prescribe drugs harmful to the embryo.

Prescription drugs that increase the risk of a birth defect are referred to as Teratogens. These include anti-seizure medication like Dilantin and Tegretol. The FDA has warned against the use of these drugs during pregnancy. They can increase the risk of developing cleft lips and cleft palates, and heart, lung and brain abnormalities. These medications also pose a risk of miscarriage in women who are breastfeeding or pregnant. Parents can be able to sue doctors, drug companies and pharmacists for failing warn about the risks.

Toxic Chemicals

When a baby is born with a birth defect parents often ask themselves what the cause is. However, several factors can cause birth defects, from drug-related side effects to toxic chemical exposure in utero.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 33 babies is born with a birth defect. These ailments can be anything from minor to severe and even life-threatening. Most of the time, a birth defect is an unfortunate genetic defect that occurs at no fault of the mother. Birth defects can be caused by chemical or environmental exposure in the womb. These are known as Teratogens, and they increase the risk of functional or structural problems that are not reverseable in offspring.

Many people in the United States are exposed to industrial chemicals every day. The list of chemical hazards that may be harmful is long, and includes everything from semiconductor and technology factories equipped with clean rooms, to pesticides used in nurseries and farms, as well as plastics, paint, automobiles, and paint manufacturing facilities.

It's not unusual for companies to fail to warn their customers about the dangers that could be posed by these chemicals. LK's birth defect attorneys can assist families fight large corporations who put profits before the safety and health of their employees and children.

Environmental Exposure

Having a child with a birth defect can be extremely stressful for parents since it will require medical care throughout the life of their child. Certain birth defects can result in mental and physical disabilities in the infant for the rest of their lives dependent on the degree of the defect.

Certain birth defects cannot be prevented due to genetics. However, environmental or chemical exposure can trigger a variety of other. These include prescription drugs and toxic chemicals that the mother can ingest or chemical substances that have been found to be contaminated in groundwater or air.

Aside from medical malpractice, birth defect lawsuits can also be brought against businesses or individuals who are responsible for the child's injury. If a physician prescribes a medication that increases the risk of birth defect, they could be held responsible.

The same goes for individuals or businesses that expose workers to dangerous chemicals and other substances. Many studies have shown that exposure to fungicides, pesticides and lead, as well as metals and paints can increase the likelihood of having a child suffering from certain birth defects. In order to address this issue, lawsuits were filed against beauty salons and metal cleaning operations, as well semiconductor manufacturing facilities and painting factories. Web-based Integrated Birth Defects Surveillance in New York State. Wang, 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.