Why Nobody Cares About Birth Defect Litigation

Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

If your child was born with an anomaly in the birth, it can have a devastating effect on you and your family. The cost of therapy, medical bills and other losses can quickly increase.

A Hyattsville lawyer that specializes in birth defects may be able to help you seek reimbursement for the expenses of caring for your disabled children. A legal claim for birth defects can be complicated, so you should seek legal advice immediately.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals must adhere to a set of guidelines when treating pregnant women and their infants. If a doctor's actions are in violation of this standard and result in birth defects or injuries the doctor could be held liable for the injuries suffered by their patient. A DC lawyer who is experienced in lawsuits involving birth defects will help you determine if your child's illness could be the result of an error made by the medical professional during pregnancy or delivery.

A doctor may also be held liable for birth injuries if they fail recognize fetal distress and are unable to respond in a timely manner. This can cause a number of serious problems, including hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and brain injuries, such as cerebral palsy.

The distinction between birth defects and birth injury is that defects are part of a person's genetic make-up however, injuries are caused due to something happening during labor, pregnancy or the birth. The causes of injuries include ailments like Erb's palsy, which occurs when the nerves that power and control the infant's arms are stretched or torn during birth defect lawsuits, and caput succedaneum, a swelling of the scalp. Both can result in lifelong disability, and ongoing treatment will cost a lot of money. A Washington, DC lawyer who specializes in birth defects can offer a free consultation in order to examine your case and determine the most appropriate course for you and your baby.

Prescription Drugs

An attorney for birth defects may be able to assist parents in determining the root of a child's birth injury. While many birth defects are the result of genetics and the factors that influence the mother's pregnancy however, they can also be caused as a result of medications. A variety of commonly used medications can have negative effects on foetuses. This is particularly relevant in the first three months of pregnancy. These include anti-nausea medications and NSAIDs as well as chemotherapy medications, certain antibiotics, and many more. These medications have been linked to an increased risk of limb deformities and brain defects, heart defects and craniosynostois.

It is a doctor's professional duty to take into consideration these risks when prescribing medications for women who are pregnant. If doctors do not adhere to this standard of care, then they could be held accountable for negligence. Pharma companies may also be held responsible for not adequately informing mothers about the dangers that come with their medication. For example, Zofran, a medication used to treat nausea in cancer patients, has been found to significantly increase the risk of major congenital defects in the first trimester of pregnancy.

An attorney for birth defects can assist a family to obtain compensation for medical expenses, loss of income and quality of living. This could include hospital costs physician's fees, pharmaceutical costs and other costs, as well as assistive devices and therapy.

Chemical Exposure

A birth defect lawyer can bring a lawsuit on behalf of families of children who suffer from congenital disabilities that result from the negligence of businesses which expose pregnant women to chemicals or drugs that cause birth defects. These lawyers are specially trained to determine the root of the birth defects so that they can bring a suit against companies that expose pregnant women to teratogens either at work or in their home.

Some of the exposures to chemicals that lead to birth defects include the use of fungicides and metals as well as herbicides and other pesticides. These chemicals are referred to as Teratogens since they interfere with the development of the fetus by causing chemical changes that prevent normal cell function or lead to organs to be malformed. These chemicals are used in a variety of settings including manufacturing of semiconductors, cleaning of metals and paint production.

Other hazardous chemicals that could cause birth defects are aliphatic hydrocarbons with aliphatic chlorinated chemistry such as trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene and dichloroethane. These chemicals are known to cause cardiac birth defects in babies born to mothers who were exposed during their time in the womb.

Parents have filed lawsuits against several companies who were responsible for the exposure of families of soldiers at Camp Lejeune to these harmful chemicals. Some of the birth defect lawyers have secured substantial settlements on behalf families whose children were born with severe birth defects because of exposure to toxic chemicals at the base.

Environmental Exposure

Certain birth defects are caused by an unintended medical error and environmental factors or chemicals. If a family suspects that a child's birth defects may be the result of medical negligence or prescription drug overdose or exposure to harmful chemicals or chemical substances, they should speak with an DC birth injury attorney to discuss their case.

Chemicals and other toxins in the environment can cause serious birth defects when they are inhaled or taken in by pregnant women. These substances are referred to as Teratogens. More than 4 million chemicals are found in our air, food and water. Certain of these chemicals could be harmful to pregnant women.

For instance, arsenic in drinking water and cadmium in coal that has been contaminated can trigger various birth defects and health problems. Industrial solvents such as trichloroethylene, benzene, and toluene (a metal degreaser) are also linked to certain birth defects. Glycol-ethers can 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.

The experienced birth defect attorneys at LK have brought numerous lawsuits on behalf of children suffering from a range of birth defects resulting from improper exposure to chemicals and toxic substances at workplaces or in their homes. These lawsuits require complex scientific analyses and expert witnesses like toxicologists and epidemiologists.