Five Killer Quora Answers On Birth Defect Attorneys
Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer
If you discover that your child is born with a birth defect what should be a joyful time can quickly turn into one of anxiety and uncertainty. It is imperative to contact an attorney for medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer immediately.
You will need to gather bills as well as receipts, credit cards payments and other evidence of your losses in order to receive the full amount of settlement for your losses. We have represented family members in claims against large electronic firms, agricultural pesticide producers and commercial growers.
Medical Malpractice
Many birth defects are caused by medical errors or negligence that occurred during the pregnancy. Certain of these problems are more serious than others, but all birth injuries or defects can be devastating for the child and their family members. A medical malpractice attorney can determine if the doctor's error which led to the defect or injury.
Doctors can spot some birth defects through screening tests during pregnancy. If these tests are done and properly, parents can be informed of the chance of their child developing birth defect. This information may enable them to decide to end the pregnancy or at the very least prepare for the child's birth and treatment. If the doctor is unable to perform or interpret these tests, or if they fail to notify the parents of the results, this can be deemed medical malpractice.
Medical treatments for birth defect can be costly. They can include procedures, specialists, medications physical and speech therapies, and assistive equipment. The compensation awarded by an untimely birth lawsuit can help to ease the financial burden that is related to these costs and make it easier for families to receive the treatment their child needs. Medical malpractice lawsuits are extremely complex and time-sensitive, therefore it's important to hire a reputable attorney as soon as you can.
Prescription Drugs
Although the advancement of technology and developments in the field of medicine have greatly reduced the risk of birth injuries and defects however, they're still a possibility. Birth defects and injuries can be severe or mild and, in most cases, require life-long medical care. In certain cases, they can even lead to death. A Boston lawyer who is knowledgeable about dangerous drugs will help parents obtain compensation to cover medical expenses for the moment and in the future, including hospitalizations and doctor's appointments, rehabilitation services, assistive equipment, and more.
If a physician prescribes medication to a pregnant mother that increases the likelihood of her child developing a birth defect they could be guilty for medical malpractice. They have a duty to be aware of the medications that can affect the development of the fetus, and not prescribe drugs harmful to the foetus.
Prescription drugs that increase the risk of having a birth defect are referred to as Teratogens. These include anti-seizure medication like Dilantin and Tegretol. The FDA has issued warnings regarding the use of these medications in pregnancy. They may increase the risk of cleft lips and cleft palates, as well as brain, lung and heart abnormalities. These medications can also cause miscarriage in women who are pregnant, or nursing. Parents may sue doctors, drug makers and pharmacists for failing to warn of the dangers.
Toxic Chemicals
Parents often ask why their child was born with a birth defect. However, a number of different factors could cause the birth defect, ranging from medication side effects to toxic chemical exposure in utero.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These conditions could be minor or serious and can be life-threatening. In the majority of cases, a birth defect lawsuit defect is an unfortunate genetic anomaly that occurs without fault of the mother. Birth defects are often caused by environmental or chemical exposure in the womb. These chemicals are called teratogens. They increase the risk of structural or functional abnormalities that are not reverseable in offspring.
There's a vast array of industrial chemicals that have been linked to birth defects and other reproductive harms, and millions of people across the country are exposed them each day. The list of chemicals that could be harmful is long, and includes everything from semiconductor and technology factories with clean rooms, to pesticides that are used on farms and nurseries and plastics, paint, automobiles and paint manufacturing facilities.
It's not typical for companies not to inform their customers of the dangers that could be posed by these chemicals. The birth defect attorneys at LK can assist families to fight back against large corporations that place profits before the safety and health of their employees and children.
Environmental Exposure
Parents can be extremely upset by a child's birth defect due to the fact that they will have to provide medical treatment for the entire life of their child. Depending on the severity of the issue, some birth defects could cause mental and physical disabilities for the baby.
While some birth defects are unavoidable due to genetics, many others can be triggered through exposure to chemicals or environmental factors during pregnancy. This could be due to prescription drugs or toxic chemicals that may be ingested by mothers, or even from chemicals that have caused contamination of the groundwater or air in the community.
In addition to medical malpractice birth defect lawsuits can also be filed against companies or individuals who are responsible for the child's injuries. If a doctor prescribes medication that increases the risk of birth defect, then they could be held accountable.
It is also true for those who expose their workers to harmful chemicals and other substances. Numerous studies have demonstrated exposure to pesticides, fungicides along with paints, metals and lead may increase the risk of children developing certain types of birth defect. In this regard, lawsuits have been filed against beauty salons as well as metal cleaning operations semiconductor manufacturing facilities and paint factories due to their role in the development of serious birth defects in children. Web-based integrated birth defect surveillance in 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.