15 Reasons Why You Shouldn t Be Ignoring Birth Defect Attorneys
Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer
When you learn that your child is born with a birth defect, what should have been an exciting time could quickly become one filled with anxiety and uncertainty. It is essential to speak with an experienced medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer right away.
To receive the full compensation you deserve, you'll have to pay all your receipts, bills, and credit card payments. We have successfully represented families in court cases against big electronics firms, agricultural pesticide manufacturers and commercial growers.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice or errors that occur during pregnancy can be the cause of many birth defects. Certain of these problems are more serious than others however, they can all be devastating for the child as well as loved ones. A medical malpractice lawyer can help determine if a doctor made an error that led to the injury or defect.
Doctors can spot some birth defects by performing screening tests during pregnancy. These tests can be carried out and interpreted correctly to inform parents about the possibility that their child could be born with a birth defect. This information will enable them to decide to terminate the pregnancy, or at the very least plan for the birth of the child and treatment. If the doctor does not take or interpret the results of these tests, or if they fail to notify the parents of the results, this may be considered medical malpractice.
Medical treatments for birth defects are usually expensive. These treatments include procedures, specialists, medications therapy, physical and speech as well as assistive equipment. The compensation awarded by an untimely birth lawsuit can assist in easing the financial burden that is related to these costs and make it easier for families to access the care their child needs. Medical malpractice claims are highly complex and time-sensitive, therefore it is crucial to find an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
Prescription Drugs
While modern technology and recent developments in the field of medicine have drastically reduced the risk of birth injuries and defects, they are still possible. Mild or severe birth defects and injuries typically require a lifetime of medical care. In some instances, they may even lead to death. A Boston dangerous drug lawyer can assist parents receive compensation for their child's present and future medical costs, including hospital procedures and doctor's appointments rehabilitation services, assistive devices, and many more.
A doctor could be guilty of medical negligence if they prescribe a medication to a pregnant woman that increases the risk of her child having a birth defect. They have a duty to be aware of the medications that can affect the development of the fetus and to not prescribe drugs that are harmful to the foetus.
Prescription medications that increase the risk of a birth defect are known as Teratogens. They include anti-seizure medication like Dilantin, Lamictal, Tegretol and Topamax. The FDA has issued warnings regarding the use of these medicines in pregnancy. They may increase the risk of developing cleft lips and cleft palates, and brain, lung and heart abnormalities. These drugs can also cause miscarriage for women who are pregnant, or nursing. Parents can sue their doctors, the makers of the drugs, and the pharmacists who prescribed the medications for failing to warn them about their risks.
Toxic Chemicals
Parents often wonder the reason their child was born with a birth deformity. The truth is, many different factors could cause the birth defect, ranging from medication side effects or exposure to toxic chemicals in utero.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These issues can be serious or minor, and sometimes even life-threatening. Most of the time a birth defect occurs as a result of genetic problems. Birth defects can be caused by environmental or chemical exposure during the womb. These chemicals are known as teratogens, and they increase the likelihood of irreparable functional or structural abnormalities in offspring.
There are a myriad of industrial chemicals that have been linked to birth defects and other reproductive harms, and many people around the country are exposed to them on a daily basis. From semiconductor and technology factories with clean rooms to pesticides used in nurseries and farms and plastics, automobiles and paint manufacturing plants, the list of potentially harmful chemicals is extensive.
Most times, companies that manufacture these chemicals don't properly test them for their potential human-related effects, and it's not unusual to see them fail to include adequate warnings on their products or services. The birth defect lawyers at LK can help families fight against corporations that place profits before the health and safety of their workers and their children.
Environmental Exposure
The experience of having a child born with an anomaly in the birth process is extremely difficult for parents, since it will require medical treatment throughout the child's life. Based on the severity of the condition, some birth defects can cause life-long physical and mental disabilities for the infant.
Some birth defects cannot be prevented due to genetics. However exposure to chemicals or environmental factors can cause many others. These include prescription drugs as well as toxic chemicals that the mother could ingest, or chemicals that have been contaminated by groundwater or air.
In addition to medical malpractice, birth defect lawsuits can also be filed against businesses or individuals who are responsible for the injury suffered by the child. If a physician prescribes a medication that increases the risk of birth defect, then they could be held accountable.
It's also true for people or businesses who expose their workers to harmful chemicals and substances. Numerous studies have demonstrated that exposure to pesticides and fungicides as well as metals, paints, and lead can increase the risk of the child developing certain kinds of birth defect. For this reason, lawsuits have been filed against beauty salons and metal cleaning facilities, semiconductor manufacturing facilities and paint factories due to their role in the development of serious birth defects in children. The 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. and Hwang, S-A. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. 14(6): E1-E10. 2008.