5 Killer Quora Answers To Birth Defect Attorneys

Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

When you discover that your child was born with a birth defect, what should have been an exciting time could quickly become one of worry and anxiety. It is imperative to contact an attorney for medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer as soon as you can.

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

Medical Malpractice

Many birth defects are caused by medical mistakes or malpractice that occurred during pregnancy. Some of these issues are more serious than others however they can be all devastating to the child and loved ones. A medical malpractice lawyer can determine if the doctor committed an error that caused the defect or injury.

Certain birth defects are detectable through screening tests that doctors perform during pregnancy. If these tests are conducted and interpreted correctly, the parents will be aware of the risk that their child could have an abnormal birth. This information will allow them to decide if they wish to terminate the pregnancy or prepare for the birth and treatment of the child. If the doctor is unable to conduct or interpret these tests or fails to inform parents of the results, this could be considered medical malpractice.

Treatments for birth defects can be costly. They can involve surgery, specialists, medications speech and physical therapy, birth defect attorneys and assistive devices. A wrongful birth lawsuit could aid in easing the burden of these costs. This will allow families to provide the support their child requires. Medical malpractice claims are highly complex and time-sensitive, hence it's crucial to engage an experienced attorney as soon as you can.

Prescription Drugs

Despite the advances in medical science and the advancement of technology birth injuries and birth defects are possible. Birth injuries and defects may be minor or severe, and they often require ongoing medical attention. In some cases they can cause death. A Boston lawyer who is knowledgeable about dangerous drugs can assist parents in obtaining compensation to cover their child's medical expenses for the moment and in the future, such as hospitalizations, doctor's visits, rehabilitation services, assistive equipment, and much more.

A physician could be committing medical error if they prescribe medication to a pregnant woman that increases the risk of her child being born with a birth defect. They must be aware of the effects of medications on the development of a fetus and not prescribe medications that are harmful to the baby's fetus.

Prescription medications that increase the risk of a birth defect are referred to as Teratogens. They include anti-seizure medications like Dilantin, Lamictal, Tegretol and Topamax. The FDA has warned against the use of these drugs during pregnancy. They could increase the risk of cleft lips and cleft palates, and brain, lung and heart abnormalities. These drugs also pose a chance of miscarriage in women who are pregnant or nursing. Parents can sue doctors, manufacturers of the drugs as well as the pharmacists who sold 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 caused it. Birth defects can be caused by a variety of causes, including medication side effects and exposure to toxic chemicals during pregnancy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These birth defects may be mild or severe and, in some cases, life-threatening. Most of the time a birth defect is a result of faulty genetics. Birth defects can be caused by environmental or chemical exposure during the womb. These chemicals are called Teratogens and increase the risk of functional or structural abnormalities that cannot be reversed in offspring.

Many Americans are exposed to industrial chemicals every day. The list of chemicals that could be harmful is long, ranging from semiconductor and technology factories equipped with clean rooms, to pesticides used on farms and nurseries and automobile, paint, plastics, and paint manufacturing facilities.

It's not unusual for companies to fail to warn their customers about the potential dangers of these chemicals. LK's birth defect attorneys (read the article) can assist families fight big corporations that place profits before the safety and health of their employees and children.

Environmental Exposure

Parents can be extremely disturbed by a child's birth defect as they have to provide medical treatment for the entire life of their child. Depending on the severity of the condition, certain birth defects can cause life-long mental and physical disabilities for the infant.

While certain birth defects are inevitable because of genetics, others are caused due to exposure to chemicals or the environment during pregnancy. These include prescription medications, toxic chemicals that the mother may ingest, or chemical substances that have contaminated groundwater or air.

Birth defect lawsuits aren't limited to medical malpractice. They can also be filed against individuals or businesses that are responsible for the injury of the child. For instance, if a physician prescribes a drug that can increase the chance of your child's birth defect, they may be held accountable.

This is also true for those or companies that expose employees to hazardous chemicals and other substances. Numerous studies have shown exposure to pesticides, fungicides, as well as paints, metals and lead can increase the risk of children developing certain types of birth defect. To solve this issue lawsuits were filed against beauty salons, metal cleaning companies as well as semiconductor manufacturing facilities and painting factories. 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.