The 3 Greatest Moments In Birth Defect Litigation History

Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

If your child was born with an anomaly in the birth it could be devastating for you and your family. The cost of therapy, medical bills and other losses can quickly become a burden.

A Hyattsville lawyer that specializes in birth defects can help you seek compensation for the cost of taking care of your disabled children. A legal claim for birth defects may be complicated, and you should consult with a legal professional as soon as possible.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals are required to adhere to a standard of care when treating pregnant women or their infants. If a doctor's actions fall below this standard and result in birth defects or injuries the doctor could be held accountable for the injuries suffered by their patient. A DC lawyer who has expertise in lawsuits involving birth defects can help determine whether your child's condition was caused by a medical error during pregnancy or the birth.

A doctor may also be accountable for an injury that occurs during birth if they fail to identify or respond adequately to distress in the fetus. This can result in various serious problems, including hypoxic-ischemic neuropathy and brain injuries like cerebral palsy.

The distinction between a birth defect and a birth defect law firm injury is that defects are part of a person's genetic makeup however, injuries are caused by an event that occurs during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. A possible injury is Erb's spalsy which is a condition where the nerves that control the infant's arms and limbs are stretched or torn. Another form of injury is the caput succedaneum, swelling of the scalp. Both can lead to a permanent disability, and continued treatment can cost a significant amount of money. A Washington, DC birth defect lawyer will provide a no-cost initial consultation to look over your case and determine the best option for you and your child.

Prescription Drugs

An attorney for birth defect law firms defects may be able to assist parents in determining the reason behind a child's birth injury. While many birth defects are the result of the genetics of the mother's pregnancy however, they can also be caused due to medications. A variety of commonly used medications can have a negative impact on foetuses. This is especially applicable in the early months of pregnancy. Anti-nausea medications, NSAIDs and chemotherapy medications are among the most frequently used. These medications have been linked to an increased risk of limb defects and heart defects, brain defects and craniosynostosis.

It is a doctor's professional duty to take into consideration these risks when prescribing medications for pregnant women. If doctors do not follow this standard of care, then they may be held liable for negligence. Pharma companies could also be held accountable for not properly inform mothers of the risks associated with their medication. Zofran, which is used to treat nausea among cancer patients, was found to increase the risk of major defects during the first trimester pregnancy.

A birth defect lawyer can assist families in getting compensation for medical expenses, income loss and the quality of life. This could include doctor's, hospital pharmaceutical, and other expenses, as well as assistive devices and therapies.

Chemical Exposure

A birth defect lawyer may sue families of children who suffer from congenital disabilities because of the negligence of businesses that expose pregnant women to chemicals and drugs that cause birth deformities. These lawyers are specially trained to determine the reason for birth defects so that they can bring a suit against companies that expose pregnant women to teratogens at work or in their home.

Some of the exposures to chemicals that lead to birth defects include herbicides, fungicides, metals and other pesticides. These chemicals are known as Teratogens because they interfere with the normal development of a fetus through chemical changes that lead to abnormal organs or block normal cell function. These chemicals can be present in a variety locations, such as semiconductor manufacturing and metal cleaning.

Other chemicals that may cause birth defects are hydrocarbons that are aliphatic, such as dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, or perchloroethylene. These chemicals have been proven to cause cardiac birth defects in babies born to mothers who were exposed during their time in the womb.

Parents have filed lawsuits to expose companies to liability for exposing families of soldiers at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to harmful chemicals. Some of the birth defect lawyers have secured significant settlements for families who had their children born with severe defects because of the toxic chemical exposures at the base.

Environmental Exposure

Certain birth defects can be caused by an unintended medical error and environmental conditions or chemicals. If a family believes the birth defect in their child could be due to medical negligence, prescription drug overdose or exposure to toxic chemicals, they should speak with an DC birth injury lawyer to discuss the issue.

Chemicals and other toxins in the environment can cause serious birth defects if they are ingested or absorbed by pregnant women. Teratogens is the name given to these substances. More than 4 million chemicals can be found in our food, air and water. Certain of these chemicals could be harmful to pregnant women.

Arsenic in drinking waters or cadmium from coal that is contaminated for instance, may cause birth defects as well as other health issues. Industrial solvents, such as benzene, toluene and trichloroethylene (a metal degreaser) are also associated with certain birth defects. Glycol-ethers also increase the risk of birth defects in women. These chemicals are used in the production of semiconductors display devices, silicon chip displays and video displays.

LK's experienced birth defect attorneys have filed numerous lawsuits on behalf of children who suffer from a range of birth defects due to improper exposure to chemicals and toxic substances at work or at home. These lawsuits usually involve a complex scientific analysis and expert witnesses, including toxicologists, epidemiologists, geneticists, occupational medicine experts and embryologists.