14 Common Misconceptions About Birth Defect Attorneys

Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

Being aware that your child has an anomaly in their birth can turn what was supposed to be an exciting experience to an anxious and uncertain one. It is essential to speak with an experienced medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer right away.

You'll 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 reimbursement for your losses. We have successfully represented family members in lawsuits against large electronics companies, producers of agricultural pesticides and commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

Many birth defects are caused by medical errors or malpractice that occurred during pregnancy. Certain of these problems are more grave than others, but all birth injuries or defects can be devastating for the baby and their loved ones. A medical malpractice attorney can determine if the doctor erred which led to the injury or defect.

Doctors can detect some birth defects through screening tests during pregnancy. These tests can be carried out and interpret correctly to inform parents about the possibility that their child may be born with a birth defect. This information allows them to decide if they want to end the pregnancy or prepare for the birth and treatment of the child. Medical malpractice is a crime in the event that a doctor fails to interpret or carry out these tests or failing to inform the parents of the results.

Medical treatments for birth defects can be costly. They may require procedures, specialists, medications for speech and physical therapy, and assistive devices. A wrongful birth lawsuit may assist in easing the cost of these expenses. This will enable families to provide the services their child needs. Medical malpractice cases are complex and time-sensitive, therefore it is crucial to find an experienced attorney as quickly as possible.

Prescription Drugs

While modern technology and recent advances in the field of medicine have drastically reduced the risk of birth injuries and defects however, they're still very likely. Birth defects of a mild or severe nature and injuries are often lifelong medical attention. In some instances they may even cause death. A Boston dangerous drug lawyer can assist parents get compensation for their child's current and future medical expenses, which include hospital procedures or doctor's office, birth defect lawyer rehabilitation services, assistive devices, and many more.

If a doctor prescribes a medication to an expecting mother that increases the likelihood of her child developing a birth defect, they might be guilty of medical malpractice. They must be aware of what medications affect fetal development and not prescribe drugs that could be harmful to the fetus.

Prescription medicines that increase the risk of having a birth defect are known as Teratogens. These include anti-seizure medications such as Dilantin and Tegretol. The FDA has issued warnings against the use of these medicines during pregnancy. These medications may increase the risk of Cleft lips, cleft palates and lung, heart and other brain abnormalities. These medications also pose a chance of miscarriage in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Parents can sue their doctors, the producers of the drugs, and the pharmacists who dispensed the medications for failing to warn them of the risks.

Toxic Chemicals

When a child is born with a birth defect parents often wonder about what the cause is. The truth is, there are a variety of factors that can trigger the birth defect, ranging from side effects of medication to exposure to toxic chemicals during utero.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 33 babies is born with a birth defect. These conditions can vary from minor to serious and can even be life-threatening. Most of the time a birth defect is the result of genetic abnormalities. However, a significant portion of birth problems are the result exposure to chemicals or environmental factors that occurs in the womb. These chemicals are called Teratogens, and they increase the chance of developing functional or structural problems that cannot be reversed in offspring.

Many people in the United States are exposed to industrial chemicals every day. The list of chemicals that could be harmful is extensive, ranging from semiconductor and technology factories with clean rooms, to pesticides that are used on nurseries and farms as well as automobile, paint, plastics, and paint manufacturing facilities.

It's not typical for companies not to warn their customers about the potential dangers of these chemicals. The birth defect lawyers at LK can assist families in fighting big corporations that put profits before the health and safety their employees and children.

Environmental Exposure

Parents may be very upset due to a birth defect in a child as they have to provide medical assistance for the entire existence of their infant. Some birth defects can result in mental and physical disabilities in the baby for life dependent on the severity.

While certain birth defect lawsuit defects are unavoidable because of genetics, others can be caused by environmental or chemical exposure during pregnancy. These include prescription drugs or toxic chemicals that could be ingested by the mother or from chemicals that have been able to pollute the air or groundwater in a community.

Birth defect lawsuits are not limited to medical malpractice. They are also filed against individuals or companies who are responsible for the injury of the child. For instance, if a doctor prescribes a medication which increases the risk of your child's birth defect the doctor could be found to be responsible.

The same is true for companies or individuals who expose employees to hazardous chemicals and other substances. Numerous studies have proven that exposure to fungicides, pesticides in combination with lead, metals, and paints can increase the chance of having a child born with certain types of birth defects. Because of this, lawsuits have been filed against beauty salons and metal cleaning facilities, semiconductor manufacturing facilities and paint factories for their role in the development of serious birth defects in children. Development of a Web-based Integrated Birth Defects Surveillance Program 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.