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Birth Defect Lawsuits

Parents want their children to be perfect, but that's sometimes not possible. If that happens, it is essential for parents to seek the assistance of experienced birth defect lawyers.

Birth injuries and birth defects could be caused by medical malpractice and dangerous drugs as well as exposure to environmental hazards. A New York birth defect law firm can help you get answers.

Medical Malpractice

When a doctor fails follow the accepted standard of practice in their field, it's considered medical malpractice. This could include not performing prenatal tests, prescribing medications that increase the chance of birth defects, or making an error during labor and delivery.

Birth defects and birth injuries are usually caused by genetic and environmental causes, but occasionally they arise due to medical negligence or malpractice. For example the case where a doctor does not recognize an inborn disability and fails to notify parents of the disability, the parents may bring a wrongful birth claim seeking compensation for the ongoing expenses associated with the handicapped child.

To win a medical malpractice case in birth defects the plaintiff must show that the doctor was in breach of a duty of care to the patient, that he breached this duty, that his actions or lack of action directly caused injuries and damages and that he or she suffered economic and non-economic losses because of the injuries. These damages could include costs of medical bills, lost wages as well as pain and suffering and emotional distress.

Prenatal visits are crucial to ensure that pregnant women are provided with the appropriate tests and monitoring. If you suspect that the birth defect of your child is due to medical malpractice, contact an experienced medical malpractice and birth injury lawyer right away.

Toxic Chemicals

Every year thousands of children are born with some type of birth defect in the United States. These defects vary in severity and affect the how a child appears and behaves in life. Some are minor, while others can cause serious problems and even lead to death.

The causes of birth defects can stem from genetic defects or a range of environmental and chemical factors. Exposure to toxic chemicals, for instance, can cause serious complications in the newborn. Our firm is committed to ensuring that employers are held accountable when they expose pregnant women or their unborn children to harmful medications or substances.

In the scientific research, it is known that certain chemicals and toxins may traverse the placenta to affect the unborn child. These toxins are teratogenic. Exposure to these teratogenic chemicals may cause birth defects, such as the cleft lip and palate, spina bifida and muscular dystrophy.

While they are working, many mothers are exposed of toxic chemicals. They can be inhaled or inhaled through the skin. These chemicals include industrial solvents like EGE, ethylene glycol ethers (EGE) employed in the production of semiconductors. Parents may also be exposed toxins when they are consuming certain over-the-counter and prescription drugs. This is due to the fact that a number of drugs have not been adequately tested on pregnant women and have been demonstrated to cause birth defects.

Environmental Exposure

Environmental exposure is one of the main causes of birth defects. Genetic disorders are a common cause but it's not the only reason. The presence of a variety of chemicals and toxins at the home, at work and in food items can increase the risk of developing birth defects. These include fungicides, pesticides lead, heavy metals, certain paints and various chemical substances. Exposure to these toxins is generally inevitable. However, when employers fail to protect pregnant employees they are negligent and can be held responsible.

Researchers have yet to pinpoint the root of the birth defect. It could be that a combination of factors can trigger the condition. The next step is to evaluate these interactions in real-time. The National Children's Study is important because it is now underway across several states. The NCS will enroll 100,000 women from a variety of populations and will follow them and their children over the long term. This study will provide the most comprehensive data on the effects of environmental factors on the health of children and fetuses.

Many parents who are suffering from a child's birth defect are resentful that they have contributed to the condition, Birth defect law firm however it is the norm that these types of defects are a given. Our birth defect lawyers are aware of this and are dedicated in helping families with children with birth defects.

Product Liability

Many birth defects are caused by a variety of factors, ranging from drugs and alcohol consumption during pregnancy to genetics. Fortunately, most of these causes are preventable. If your child was born with a medical condition that could have been prevented, you may be entitled to recover damages through an action for birth defects.

A New York birth defect lawyer will be able to assist you determine if your child's illness was caused by chemical exposure, a medication or another environmental trigger which is eligible for compensation. Depending on the severity of your child's condition the legal team will also be able calculate the full cost of the associated medical bills that are suitable for compensation.

While the vast majority of birth defects aren't caused due to medical negligence, there are some instances in which a doctor or healthcare worker has been negligent before or during labor and delivery. A doctor could incorrectly prescribe a medication that injures the baby before it's born, or they may make an error during surgery.

Our birth defect lawyers have successfully pursued cases where a mother's health medical professional was exposed to toxic chemicals or prescription drugs which increased the risk that she will give birth to a child who has birth defects. We have also filed birth defect lawsuits against paint factories and semiconductor manufacturers that expose their workers to harmful chemicals during their work.