Five Killer Quora Answers On Birth Defect Attorneys

Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

Learning that your child has an anomaly in their birth can turn what was supposed to be an enjoyable experience into an uneasy and uncertain experience. It is crucial to contact a medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer immediately.

You will need to gather bills and receipts, credit card payments, and other evidence of your losses to get full compensation for your losses. We have successfully represented families in court cases against major electronics companies, agricultural pesticide manufacturers and commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

Many birth defects are caused by medical mistakes or malpractice that occurred during the pregnancy. Some of these issues are more grave than others, but all birth defects or injuries can be devastating for the child and the family members who love them. An attorney for medical malpractice can determine if the doctor made an error that caused the defect or injury.

Certain birth defects are able to be detected by screening tests that doctors carry out during pregnancy. If these tests are done and interpret them correctly, parents will be aware of the chance that their child will have a birth defect. This information helps them decide if they wish to terminate the pregnancy or prepare for the birth and treatment of the child. Medical malpractice is a crime when the doctor is unable to interpret or perform these tests, or failing to inform parents of the results.

Treatments for birth defects are typically expensive. These treatments can include procedures, specialists, medications therapy, physical and speech as well as assistive equipment. A wrongful birth defect attorneys lawsuit could assist in easing the burden of these costs. This will allow families to provide the medical care their child requires. Medical malpractice lawsuits can be a bit complicated and time-sensitive. It's therefore important to find a reputable attorney early enough.

Prescription Drugs

Despite the advancements in medical science and the latest technology, birth problems and injuries are possible. Birth injuries and defects can be mild or severe and, in most cases, require ongoing medical attention. In some instances, they even cause death. A Boston lawyer for dangerous drugs will help parents obtain compensation to cover their child's medical expenses now and in the near future, which includes hospitalizations, doctor's visits, rehabilitation services, assistive equipment, and more.

When a physician prescribes a medication to an expecting mother that increases the likelihood of her child's developing a birth defect, they may be guilty of medical malpractice. They have a duty to be aware of the medications that could negatively affect the growth of the fetus and to avoid prescribing harmful medications to the baby's fetus.

Prescription drugs that increase the risk of having a birth defect are known as Teratogens. They include anti-seizure medications like Dilantin, Lamictal, Tegretol and Topamax. The FDA has issued warnings about the use of these medications during pregnancy. These medications increase the risk of developing cleft lips, cleft palates and lung, heart and other brain disorders. They also increase the risk of miscarriage for women who are pregnant or nursing. Parents can sue the doctors, the producers of the drugs, and the pharmacists who prescribed them for failing to warn them about their risks.

Toxic Chemicals

If a child is born with a birth defect parents often ask themselves what the cause is. In reality, a number of different factors can cause a birth defect, from the effects of medications to exposure to toxic chemicals during utero.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 out of 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These problems could be minor or serious and, in some cases, life-threatening. Most of the time, a birth defect occurs as a result of genetic problems. However, a large percentage of birth problems are the result environmental or chemical exposure that takes place during the womb. These chemicals are referred to as teratogens. They increase the likelihood 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 millions of people across the world are exposed to these chemicals every day. From semiconductor and technology factories with clean rooms, to pesticides that are used on nurseries and farms as well as automobile, plastics and paint manufacturing facilities the list of harmful chemicals is extensive.

A lot times, companies that manufacture these chemicals don't adequately test them for possible effects on humans and it's not unusual for them to not include adequate warnings on their products or services. LK's birth defect attorneys can assist families to fight large corporations that put profit ahead of the health and safety of their workers and children.

Environmental Exposure

Parents may be very upset by a child's birth defect, as they will need to provide medical assistance for the entire life of their child. Depending on the severity the condition, certain birth defects can cause life-long mental and physical disabilities for the infant.

Certain birth defects cannot be prevented due to genetics. However exposure to chemicals or environmental factors can cause many others. These could include prescription medications or toxic chemicals that can be ingested by mothers or from chemicals that have contaminated the air or groundwater in a community.

Aside from medical malpractice, birth defect lawsuits may be brought against businesses or individuals who are responsible for the injuries suffered by the child. For instance, if a physician prescribes a medicine which increases the risk of your child's birth defect and they are held liable.

The same is true for those or companies that expose employees to hazardous chemicals and other substances. Numerous studies have proven that exposure to pesticides, fungicides and lead, as well as metals and paints may increase the risk of having a child who has certain types of 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 in New York State. Wang, Y., Tao, Z., Steen, P.M., Cross, P.K., Druschel, C.M. and Hwang, S-A. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. 14(6): E1-E10. 2008.