Why We Enjoy Birth Defect Litigation And You Should Also

Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

If your child was born with an anomaly in the birth, it can have a devastating impact on you and your family. Therapy costs, medical bills and other losses can quickly accumulate.

A Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can help you file an appeal to receive compensation for the expenses of caring for your disabled child. Legal claims for birth defects are complicated and it is essential to seek legal advice immediately.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals must follow a set of guidelines when treating pregnant women and their infants. A doctor could be held liable for damages when their actions cause birth defects or injuries. A DC lawyer who is experienced in birth defect lawsuits will help you determine if your child's condition could be the result of an error made by the medical professional during pregnancy or the birth.

A doctor could be liable for a birth injury when they fail to recognize or respond adequately to distress of the fetus. This can result in a number serious problems including hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and hypoxic encephalopathy such as cerebral palsy.

The distinction between birth defects and birth injury is that defects are part of a person's genetic make-up however, injuries are caused by an event that occurs during labor, pregnancy or the birth. The causes of injuries include issues like Erb's syndrome which is caused when the nerves that stimulate and control an infant's arms are stretched or torn during birth and the caput succedaneum is a swelling of the scalp. Both can result in a permanent disability, and continued treatment will cost a great deal of money. A Washington, DC birth defect lawyer can provide a free initial consultation to examine your case and determine the best way to proceed for you and your child.

Prescription Drugs

A birth defect attorney may be able help parents determine the root of a child's birth defect. Many birth defects are caused by genes or other factors that occur during pregnancy. However, medications can also cause birth defects. A number of commonly used medications can have a negative impact on the fetuses. This is especially relevant in the first three months of pregnancy. Anti-nausea medication, NSAIDs and chemotherapy medications are among the most frequently used. These drugs have been proven to increase the risk of limb and heart defects, brain deformities and craniosynostois.

It is the duty of a doctor to be aware of these risks when prescribing medications for women who are pregnant. If doctors fail to follow this standard of care, then they could be held accountable for negligence. Pharma companies can also be held responsible for not properly inform mothers of the risks of their medication. Zofran is a drug used to treat nausea in cancer patients, was found to increase the risk of major defects occurring in first-trimester pregnancies.

A birth defect attorney can assist a family to obtain compensation for medical expenses, income loss and the quality of life. This could include hospital fees, doctor's fees, pharmaceutical costs and other expenses as well assistive devices and therapy.

Chemical Exposure

A birth defect lawyer may bring a lawsuit for families of children with congenital disabilities because due to the negligence of corporations who expose pregnant women to chemicals and drugs that cause birth defects. They are trained to determine the reason for birth defects so that they can bring a lawsuit against companies who expose pregnant women to teratogens either at workplace or at home.

Some of the chemical exposures that lead to birth defects include metals, fungicides, herbicides and other pesticides. These chemicals are called teratogens, because they can affect the development of a healthy embryo through chemical changes that cause abnormal organs or hinder normal cell function. These chemicals can be present in a variety locations, such as metal cleaning and semiconductor manufacturing.

Other chemicals that may cause birth defects include the aliphatic hydrocarbons like dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, or perchloroethylene. These chemicals are known to cause cardiac birth defects in babies born to mothers exposed during their time in the womb.

Parents have filed lawsuits to ensure that companies are held accountable for exposing families of soldiers at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to harmful chemicals. Some of these birth defects lawyers have secured substantial settlements for families who had children born with severe defects resulting from the exposure to toxic chemicals at the base.

Environmental Exposure

Some birth defects are caused by a combination of medical negligence and environmental factors or chemicals. If a family suspects that the birth defects of a baby could be the result of medical negligence, prescription drug overdose, or exposure to harmful chemicals such as benzene, Birth Defect Attorney they should seek out an DC birth injury lawyer to discuss their case.

If pregnant women inhale or absorb contaminants from the environment, they can cause serious birth defects. Teratogens are the names given to these substances. More than 4 million chemicals are found in our food, air and water and a few are harmful if they come into contact with pregnant women.

For instance, arsenic from drinking water and cadmium from coal that is contaminated can cause a variety of birth defects as well as other health issues. Industrial solvents, such as trichloroethylene, toluene, and benzene (a metal degreaser) are also linked to certain birth defects. Glycol-ethers can increase the risk of birth defects in women. These chemicals are used to manufacture semiconductors, silicon chip displays and video displays.

LK's experienced birth defect attorneys have brought numerous lawsuits on behalf of children who suffer from a wide range of birth defects caused by unintentional exposure to toxic chemicals and chemicals at work or at home. These lawsuits involve complex scientific analyses and expert witnesses like toxicologists and epidemiologists.