Ask Me Anything: 10 Answers To Your Questions About Birth Defect Compensation

Birth Defect Attorneys

One in 33 babies are born with birth defect or injury. A compassionate and skilled birth defect lawyer can help parents in receiving compensation for medical expenses, therapy and other expenses related to their child's disability.

While doctors strive to be perfect but negligence or malpractice could increase the risk of birth defects and injuries. A Boston birth defect lawyer can assist parents obtain compensation for damages.

Medical Malpractice

A medical condition a child is born with may have devastating effects on the entire family. Although these conditions are typically caused by genetics, they can also be caused by medical malpractice. A Rochester birth injury attorney can determine whether the medical professionals who were involved in the birth of your child exhibited medical negligence.

A doctor can commit medical malpractice when they do not adhere to the professional standards of their profession. These include taking basic steps to avoid complications during labor and delivery. A birth injury lawyer will examine all the information about your child's situation, including medical documents and consult with experts to determine if doctors violated the standard of care.

Physical trauma in a challenging or complicated delivery could cause injuries that can be minor or even life-threatening. However, many of these injuries can be avoided by medical professionals who follow appropriate medical procedures. These kinds of medical errors are often the result of negligence or a medical malpractice. Burton Law Group, a legal team specializing in medical malpractice cases in Oklahoma has helped countless parents who are traumatized by the injuries of their child to uncover the truth and obtain the compensation they deserve. Contact us now for more details about how we can assist you. The laws of the state where you live set deadlines (also called statutes) within which you can file a lawsuit. The statutes you are required to file can differ based on the type of claim you bring (e.g. medical negligence).

Defective Products

Parents would like perfect babies and healthy children, but medical negligence or malpractice could increase the possibility of birth defects. This can lead to an unintentional death or permanent injuries to the infant. A lawyer who specializes in birth defects can assist you bring a lawsuit against the parties responsible.

Birth defect lawyers are also able to investigate and prosecute cases that involve the wrongful exposure of women who are pregnant to harmful chemicals and substances at home or at work. Research has shown that common household and industrial chemicals and products, like lead paint, fungicides and chemically treated wastewater can increase the risk of birth defects. A skilled attorney can fight the companies that might have negligently exposed pregnant mothers to these harmful chemicals or birth defect attorneys toxic substances (teratogens) during pregnancy and seek substantial financial compensation for the family of the victim.

Birth injury lawsuits that involve medical negligence are similar to other personal injury claims, such as car accident and defective product claims. Doctors and other medical professionals are, however, held to a higher standard of care because of their level of training and the trust patients place in them. Additionally, a lot of birth injury lawsuits could be considered a form of wrongful death suit if the child has a severe impairment that requires specialized care.

Prescription Drugs

Birth defects are serious issues that affect the appearance or functionality of certain parts of the human body. They can be quite severe and have an impact on the health of infants. They can cause serious emotional, medical, or financial problems. In some instances, they could be fatal.

Many birth issues are caused by genetic flaws, or in the father's or mother's chromosomes. However, in certain instances they are attributable to environmental factors. These may include exposure to prescription medications, toxins or other substances that possess what is known as a teratogenic effect.

Some commonly used medications such as the morning sickness drug Zofran anti-seizure drugs, including Topiramate and Valproate, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been linked to specific birth defects. These include eye defects, limb defects, brain and spinal cord deformities, and other issues. Seizure medications have also been linked to miscarriages.

A birth defect lawyer can help parents in determining whether a birth defect in a child was caused by an medication taken by the mother during pregnancy. Doctors are legally required to prescribe only medicines that are safe for use by pregnant women. They also have a responsibility to warn patients of possible risks. If a doctor fails in this obligation, they may be held responsible for any birth injuries or birth defects that arise.

Environmental Exposure

Birth defects are structural issues in one or more parts an infant's anatomy. Other factors can influence the development of birth defects. The majority of them are genetic, they can develop during the womb. This includes exposure to environmental toxins, the use of medications taken by the mother and the exposure to teratogenic chemicals and drugs. These cases require the help of skilled, dedicated birth defect attorneys.

A birth defect lawyer can help families file an action against a doctor or drug maker, or another person or entity that is responsible for a baby's birth defect. If a medical procedure or medication or exposure to a toxic substance, is the cause of the birth defect, the physician or the drug company and other entities accountable for the mother's exposure may be held liable.

Waters Kraus & Paul handles complicated cases, including birth defects resulting from exposure to environmental toxins, chemicals and industrial solvents and prescription drugs. As a partner of the firm, David Strouss has prosecuted some of the first birth defects lawsuits arising from parental exposure to industrial solvents (such as glycol ethers) and has also handled cases regarding agricultural workers and residents who were affected by spraying or drifting pesticides. Ilana Waxman, Evan Hoffman and other firm partners concentrate on environmental contamination. This includes asbestos, toxic torts and whistleblower litigation.