Five Killer Quora Answers On Birth Defect Attorneys

Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

The discovery that your child is suffering from a birth defect can turn what should have been an enjoyable experience into an uneasy and uncertain experience. It is important to contact an experienced medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer right away.

You'll need to gather bills and receipts, credit card payments and other evidence of your losses in order to receive the full amount of reimbursement for your losses. We have successfully represented families in claims against major electronics companies and agricultural pesticide companies as well as commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice or errors that occurred during pregnancy can be the cause of many birth defects. Some of these issues are more severe than others, however all birth injuries or defects can be devastating for the child and their family members. An attorney for medical malpractice will help determine if the doctor committed an error which led to the defect or injury.

Doctors can detect some birth defects by performing screening tests during pregnancy. These tests can be carried out and correctly to inform parents about the possibility that their child might have a birth deformity. This information can enable them to decide to terminate the pregnancy, or at a minimum, prepare for the child's birth and treatment. Medical malpractice can be a problem if the doctor fails to interpret or perform these tests, or when he or she fails to inform parents of the results.

Treatments for birth defects are typically expensive. They can involve surgery, specialists, medications for speech and physical therapy, and assistive devices. The amount of compensation awarded by a lawsuit for wrongful birth can help ease the financial burden that is associated with these costs, making it easier for families to receive the help their child needs. Medical malpractice lawsuits can be complex and time-sensitive. Therefore, it's important to seek out an experienced attorney as soon as you can.

Prescription Drugs

Despite recent medical advances and modern technology, birth defects and injuries are still possible. Birth defects and injuries may be minor or severe and require ongoing medical attention. In some instances they can cause death. A Boston lawyer for dangerous drugs can assist parents to recover compensation to cover medical expenses for the moment and in the future, including hospitalizations and doctor's appointments, rehabilitation services, assistive equipment and more.

A physician could be committing medical error if they prescribe medication to a woman who is pregnant that increases the risk of her child having a birth defect. They have a duty to know which medications could adversely affect the growth of a fetus and not prescribe drugs harmful to the fetus.

Prescription drugs that increase the risk of having a birth defect are known as Teratogens. These include anti-seizure medicines like Dilantin and Tegretol. The FDA has issued warnings against the use of these medicines in pregnancy. These medications can increase the risk for Cleft palates, cleft lips and lung, heart and other brain disorders. These medications also pose a risk of miscarriage for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Parents can sue doctors, the makers of the medications and the pharmacists who gave them for not warning them of the risks.

Toxic Chemicals

When a baby is born with a birth defect parents often wonder about what caused it. Birth defects can be caused by a range of causes, such as adverse effects from medications as well as exposure to toxic chemicals during pregnancy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These problems can range from minor to serious and can even be life-threatening. Most of the time a birth defect is a result of genetic defects. However, a substantial portion of birth defects are the result of exposure to chemicals or other environmental factors that happens in the womb. These chemicals are referred to as teratogens. They increase the chance of irreversible functional or structural defects in offspring.

There are a myriad of industrial chemicals that have been associated with birth defects and other reproductive harms and a lot of people across the world are exposed to them every day. From technology and semiconductor factories with clean rooms, to pesticides used in nurseries and farms and plastics, automobiles and paint manufacturing facilities The list of harmful chemicals is lengthy.

A lot of the time, the companies that manufacture these chemicals fail to properly test them for potential adverse effects on humans, and it's not uncommon for them to fail to include adequate warnings in their products and services. The birth defect lawyers at LK can assist families to fight against corporations that place profits over the health and safety of their employees and children.

Environmental Exposure

Parents can be extremely disturbed by a child's birth defect, as they will need to provide medical assistance for the entire existence of their infant. Certain birth defects can result in mental and physical disabilities in the child for life depending on the severity.

Some birth defects can't be prevented because of genetics. However exposure to chemicals or environmental factors can cause other. These could include prescription medications 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 a community.

Birth defect lawsuits are not only restricted to medical negligence. They can also be filed against businesses or individuals who are responsible for the injuries of the child. If a doctor prescribes a medication that increases the risk of birth defect, then they could be held responsible.

It is also true for people or businesses who expose their workers to harmful chemicals and substances. Numerous studies have demonstrated that exposure to fungicides, pesticides or lead, as well metals and paints may increase the risk of having a child suffering from certain birth defects. This is why lawsuits have been filed against beauty salons, metal cleaning operations, semiconductor manufacturing facilities, and paint factories for their role in the development of serious birth defects in children. The development of a Web-based integrated Birth Defects Surveillance System for New York State. Wang, Y., Tao, Z., Steen, P.M., Cross, P.K., Druschel, C.M. Hwang, S.-A. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. 14(6): E1-E10. 2008.