The 3 Greatest Moments In Birth Defect Litigation History

Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

If your child is born with a birth defect it can have a devastating effect on your family and you. The cost of therapy, medical bills and other expenses can quickly add up.

A Hyattsville birth defect lawyer could assist you in filing a claim to recover compensation for the cost of taking care of your child with disabilities. A legal claim for birth defects could be complicated, so you should consult a lawyer as soon as you can.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals must adhere to a set of standards when treating pregnant women or their infants. If a doctor's actions are not in line with this standard and cause an injury or birth defect, they can be held accountable for the harms suffered by their patient. A DC lawyer with experience in lawsuits involving birth defects will help you determine if your child's illness could be due to an error made by the medical professional during pregnancy or the birth.

A doctor could be liable for birth injuries if they fail to recognize or appropriately respond to fetal distress. This can result in a variety of serious problems, including hypoxic ischemic disorder (HIE) and brain injuries such as cerebral palsy.

The distinction between birth defects and birth injury is that defects are part of a person's genetic makeup however, injuries are caused by something occurring during labor, 133.6.219.42 pregnancy, or birth. The causes of injuries include conditions like Erb's Palsy that occurs when the nerves that power and control the infant's arms are stretched or torn during birth defect attorney, and caput succedaneum, a swelling of the scalp. Both of these conditions can result in permanent disability and require ongoing treatment, which can result in significant medical bills. A Washington, DC birth defect lawyer can provide a free initial consultation to examine your case and determine the best option for you and your child.

Prescription Drugs

A birth defect lawyer might be able to help parents determine the reason for a child's birth injury or defect. While many birth defects are the result of the genetics of the mother's pregnancy however, they may also occur because of medications. Certain common medications can have a negative impact on the fetuses. This is particularly relevant in the first three months of pregnancy. Anti-nausea medications, NSAIDs and chemotherapy medications are among the most commonly used. These medications have been linked with an increased chance of limb deformities, brain defects, heart defects and craniosynostosis.

A doctor's duty is to take into account the risks when prescribing medications for women who are pregnant. If doctors fail to meet the standards of care required, they may be liable for medical malpractice. Pharma companies can also be held accountable for not properly informing mothers about the dangers associated with their medication. Zofran is a drug used to treat nausea among cancer patients, was found to increase the risk of major defects during the first trimester pregnancies.

A birth defect lawyer can help families get compensation for future and current medical expenses associated with the injury or disability, as well as loss of earnings and quality of life. This could include hospital fees medical expenses, doctor's fees and pharmaceutical costs, and other expenses, as well assistive devices and therapy.

Chemical Exposure

A birth defect lawyer can file an action on behalf of families of children who suffer from congenital disabilities resulting from the negligence of companies who expose pregnant women chemicals or drugs that cause birth defects. These lawyers are specially trained to identify the root of the birth defect to sue companies who expose mothers to teratogens when they are working or in their home.

Some of the chemical exposures that lead to birth defects include the fungicides, metals, herbicides and other pesticides. These chemicals are called teratogens due to the fact that they affect the healthy development a embryo through chemical changes that cause abnormal organs or prevent normal cell function. These chemicals are used in diverse settings like semiconductor manufacturing, metal cleaning and paint production.

Other chemicals that may cause birth defects include hydrocarbons with aliphatic properties, like dichloroethane or trichloroethylene perchloroethylene. These chemicals have been found to cause birth defects, including cardiac defects, in babies born to mothers exposed to them in the womb.

Parents have filed lawsuits against a variety 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 won significant settlements on behalf of families whose children were born with severe defects because of exposure to toxic chemicals at the base.

Environmental Exposure

Some birth defects are caused by a combination between medical negligence and environmental conditions. If a family suspects that the birth defect in their child could be the result of medical malpractice, prescription drug overdose or exposure to toxic chemicals, they should speak with an DC birth injury lawyer to discuss the issue.

Chemicals and other contaminants in the environment can cause serious birth defects when they are consumed by or absorbed by pregnant women. These chemicals are called Teratogens. More than 4 million chemicals can be found in our food, air and water. Some of these chemicals are harmful to pregnant women.

For instance, arsenic from drinking water and cadmium in coal that is contaminated can cause various birth defects, as well as other health problems. Industrial solvents, such as trichloroethylene, benzene, and toluene (a metal degreaser) are also linked to certain birth defects. Glycol ethers, which are used in the production of semiconductors, silicon chips and video displays, are well-known to increase the chances of having birth defects too.

LK's highly experienced birth defect lawyers have brought many lawsuits on behalf of children suffering from a range of birth defects resulting from unintentional exposure to toxic chemicals and chemicals at workplaces or in their homes. These lawsuits often involve complex scientific analysis and expert witnesses, such as toxicologists or epidemiologists, geneticists occupational medicine experts and embryologists.