15 Up-And-Coming Birth Defect Litigation Bloggers You Need To See

Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

If your child was born with a birth defect it could have a devastating impact on you and your family. Medical bills, therapy costs and other losses can quickly increase.

A Hyattsville lawyer who specializes in birth defects may be able to help you file for compensation to cover the costs of caring for your child with disabilities. Legal claims for birth defects are complicated and therefore it is crucial to seek legal advice whenever you can.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals must follow an appropriate standard of care when treating pregnant women and their babies. A doctor could be held responsible for damages when their actions cause birth defects or injuries. A DC lawyer with expertise in lawsuits for birth defects can assist you in determining whether your child's health issue was caused by a medical mistake during the pregnancy or delivery.

A doctor could also be the cause of birth injuries if they fail in diagnosing or adequately respond to distress of the fetus. This could lead to a variety of serious problems, including hypoxic ischemic brain injury (HIE) and cerebral palsy.

birth defect law firms injuries differ from birth defects in that they are caused by circumstances during pregnancy, birth, or labor. A possible injury is Erb's spalsy which is a condition where the nerves that control the baby's arms and limbs are stretched or torn. Another injury is caput succedaneum which is a swelling on the scalp. Both can lead to a lifelong disability, and ongoing treatment will cost a lot of money. A Washington, DC lawyer who is specialized in birth defects will offer a free consultation in order to review your case, and determine the most appropriate course for you and your baby.

Prescription Drugs

A birth defect lawyer might be able to assist parents identify the cause of the child's birth injury or defect. While many birth defects are caused by genetics and the factors that influence the mother's pregnancy but they can also happen as a result of medications. Certain common medications have a significant impact on fetuses and babies, particularly during the first trimester of a pregnancy. They include anti-nausea medicines and NSAIDs as well as chemotherapy medications, certain antibiotics, and many more. These drugs have been proven to increase the risk of developing limb and brain deformities, heart defects, and craniosynostosis.

A doctor's job is to consider these risks when prescribing medication for women who are pregnant. If doctors do not meet the standards of care required, they may be liable for medical negligence. Pharma companies may also be held accountable for not properly inform mothers of the risks that come with their medication. Zofran, which is used to treat nausea among cancer patients, has been shown to increase the risk of major defects occurring in first-trimester pregnancies.

A birth defect lawyer can help families receive compensation for the future and present medical expenses that result from the disability or injury as well as loss of income and quality of life. This could include hospital expenses medical expenses, doctor's fees and pharmaceutical costs, and other expenses, along with assistive devices and therapy.

Chemical Exposure

A birth defect lawyer may bring a lawsuit on behalf of families of children who have congenital disabilities as a result due to the negligence of corporations which expose pregnant women and other drugs that cause birth deformities. These lawyers are specially trained to identify the cause of the birth defects so that they can bring a lawsuit against companies who expose pregnant women to teratogens at work or in their home.

Some of the chemical exposures that lead to birth defects are the fungicides, metals, herbicides and other pesticides. These chemicals are called Teratogens because they interfere with the normal development of a the fetus via chemical changes that lead to abnormal organs or prevent normal cell function. These chemicals are found in various settings, including semiconductor manufacturing, metal cleaning and paint production.

Other hazardous chemicals that could cause birth defects include aliphatic cyaninated hydrocarbons such as perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene or dichloroethane. These chemicals have been known to cause birth defects, such as cardiac defects in babies born to mothers who were exposed to them while in the womb.

Parents have filed lawsuits to ensure that companies are held accountable for exposing families of soldiers at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina exposed to harmful chemicals. Some of these birth defects lawyers have secured significant settlements for families who had children born with severe defects resulting from the exposure to toxic chemicals at the base.

Environmental Exposure

Some birth defects can be caused by a combination of medical negligence and environmental conditions or chemicals. If a family suspects the birth defects of a baby could be due to medical negligence, prescription drug overdose, or exposure to harmful chemical or chemical substances, they should speak with a DC birth injury lawyer to discuss their case.

If pregnant women ingest or absorb contaminants from the surrounding environment they could develop serious birth defects. Teratogens are the term used to describe these chemicals. More than 4 million chemicals are found in our air, food and water. Certain of these chemicals may be dangerous to pregnant women.

For instance, arsenic in drinking water, and cadmium from contaminated coal can cause a variety of birth defects, as well as other health issues. Industrial solvents such as trichloroethylene, benzene, and toluene (a metal degreaser) are also linked with certain birth defects. Glycol-ethers, which are used in the production of semiconductors, silicon chips and video displays are well-known to increase the risk of developing birth defects as well.

LK's experienced birth defect attorneys have filed a variety of lawsuits on behalf of children who have suffered from a range of birth defects caused by wrongful toxic and chemical exposure at workplaces or at home. These lawsuits require complex scientific analyses and expert witnesses such as toxicologists and epidemiologists.