11 "Faux Pas" That Are Actually OK To Create Using Your Birth Defect Litigation

Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

If your child was born with a birth defect this can be devastating for you and your entire family. Therapy costs, medical bills and other expenses can quickly add up.

A Hyattsville birth defect lawyer could assist you in filing an appeal to receive reimbursement for the costs of taking care of your disabled child. Legal claims for birth defects are complex and therefore it is vital to seek legal advice as soon as you can.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals must follow a standard when treating pregnant women or their infants. A doctor could be held responsible for damages when their actions cause birth defects or injuries. A DC lawyer who has experience in lawsuits for birth defects can help you determine whether your child's condition could be the result of a medical error during pregnancy or the birth.

A doctor could also be held accountable for birth injuries if they fail detect fetal distress or fail to respond appropriately. This can result in a number serious problems including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy as well as brain injuries such as cerebral palsy.

The difference between birth defects and birth injury is that defects are a part of a person's genetic makeup and injuries are triggered by something that happens during pregnancy, labor, or birth. Injuries can include issues like Erb's syndrome, which occurs when the nerves which energize and control an infant's arms are stretched or torn during the birth process and caput succedaneum, a swelling of the scalp. Both of these can result in permanent disability and require ongoing treatment, which can result in hefty medical costs. A Washington, DC lawyer who specializes in birth defect law firm defects can offer a free consultation to review your case, and determine the most appropriate course for you and your baby.

Prescription Drugs

A birth defect lawyer may be able to assist parents identify the cause of a child's birth injury, or defect. Many birth defects result from the genetics of the baby or other factors during pregnancy. However, certain medications can also cause birth defects. Certain commonly used medications can have negative effects on fetuses. This is particularly applicable in the early months of pregnancy. Anti-nausea medicines, NSAIDs and chemotherapy drugs are among the most frequently used. These drugs have been linked to an increase in chance of limb deformities, brain defects, heart defects and craniosynostois.

It is the responsibility of a doctor to consider the potential risks when prescribing medications for women who are pregnant. If doctors fail to meet this standard of care, they could be held liable for medical malpractice. Pharmaceutical companies could be held liable as well for failing to adequately warn mothers of the dangers associated with their medicines. For example, Zofran, a medication used to treat nausea in cancer patients, has been demonstrated to significantly increase the risk of major congenital defects in the first trimester of a pregnancy.

A birth defect law firm defect lawyer can help family members receive compensation for current and future medical expenses associated with the injury or disability, as well as loss of earnings and the quality of life. This can include hospital costs physician's fees, pharmaceutical costs and other expenses along with assistive devices and therapy.

Chemical Exposure

A birth defect lawyer can file a lawsuit on behalf of families of children with congenital disabilities as a result of the negligence of businesses who expose pregnant women to chemicals and drugs that can cause birth defects. These lawyers are specially trained to find out the root of the birth defect to bring a lawsuit against companies which expose mothers to teratogens when they are working or Firms in their homes.

Some of the chemical exposures that can lead to birth defects are the fungicides, metals, herbicides and other pesticides. These chemicals are referred to as teratogens due to the fact that they affect the healthy development a the fetus via chemical changes that lead to abnormal organs or block normal cell function. These chemicals can be found in a variety of settings, including metal cleaning and semiconductor manufacturing.

Other chemicals that can cause birth defects include hydrocarbons that are aliphatic, such as trichloroethylene perchloroethylene or dichloroethane. These chemicals have been known to cause birth problems, including cardiac disorders in babies born to mothers who were exposed to them during the womb.

Parents have filed suit against a number of firms that were responsible for exposing the families of soldiers at Camp Lejeune to these harmful chemicals. Some of the birth defect lawyers have gotten significant settlements on behalf of families who had their children born with severe defects because of the toxic chemical exposures at the base.

Environmental Exposure

Certain birth defects can be caused by an unintended medical error and environmental conditions or chemicals. If a family believes that the birth defect of their child may be a result of medical malpractice, prescription drug overdose or exposure to toxic chemicals, they should speak with a DC birth injury lawyer to discuss the matter.

Chemicals and other substances in the environment can cause serious birth defects if they are ingested or absorbed by pregnant women. Teratogens are the term used to describe these chemicals. Over 4 million chemicals exist in our air, food and water and some are harmful if they come into contact with a woman who is pregnant.

For instance, arsenic from drinking water as well as cadmium derived from contaminated coal can cause various birth defects and other health problems. Industrial solvents, such as trichloroethylene, toluene, and benzene (a metal degreaser) are also associated with certain birth defects. Glycol-ethers are also known for their ability to increase the chance of birth defects in women. These chemicals are used for the manufacture of semiconductors display panels, silicon chip displays, and video displays.

The experienced attorneys at LK's firm for birth defects have filed a variety of lawsuits in behalf of children suffering from many birth defects due to accidental exposure to toxic chemicals or chemicals at their workplace or home. These lawsuits typically involve sophisticated scientific analysis and expert witnesses, including toxicologists as well as epidemiologists, geneticists occupational medicine specialists and embryologists.