An Intermediate Guide In Birth Defect Litigation

Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

If your child was born with a birth deformity, it can be devastating for the entire family. The cost of therapy, medical bills and other expenses can quickly accumulate.

A Hyattsville lawyer with a specialization in birth defects may be able to help you claim reimbursement for the expenses of taking care of your disabled children. A legal claim for birth defects can be complicated, so you should consult with a legal professional whenever you can.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals are required to follow a standard when treating pregnant women or their infants. When a doctor's actions fall below this standard and cause birth defects or injuries, they can be held responsible for damage suffered by their patient. A DC lawyer with experience in lawsuits involving birth defects will help you determine if your child's condition may be due to an error in medical care during pregnancy or during delivery.

A doctor can also be held accountable for birth injuries if they fail detect fetal distress or are unable to respond in a timely manner. This can lead to a range of serious problems, including hypoxic ischemic disorder (HIE) and brain injuries like cerebral palsy.

The distinction between birth defects and birth injury is that defects are part of a person's genetic makeup, while injuries are caused by an event that occurs during labor, pregnancy, or during delivery. Injuries can be caused by Erb's palsy which is a condition where the nerves that control the infant's arms and legs are stretched or torn. Another form of injury is the caput succedaneum, an increase in the size of the scalp. Both can lead to a permanent disability, and ongoing treatment will cost a great deal of money. A Washington, DC lawyer who specializes in birth defect law firm defects can provide a free consultation to examine your case and decide on the best course for you and your baby.

Prescription Drugs

An attorney for birth defects may be able to assist parents in determining the reason behind a child's birth injury. While many birth defects are caused by genetics and factors during the mother's pregnancy but they can also happen because of medications. A variety of common medications can have a profound effect on fetuses, particularly in the first trimester of pregnancy. Anti-nausea medicines, NSAIDs and chemotherapy drugs are among the most popular. These medications have been linked to a higher chance of limb deformities, heart defects, brain defects and craniosynostosis.

It is the professional responsibility of doctors to take into consideration these risks when prescribing medications for women who are pregnant. If doctors do not follow this standard of care, then they may be held liable for malpractice. Pharma companies may also be held accountable for not adequately informing mothers about the risks that come with their medication. Zofran is a medication that is used to treat nausea among cancer patients, was shown to increase the risk of major defects occurring in first-trimester pregnancies.

An attorney for birth defects can assist a family in obtaining compensation for medical expenses, income loss and the quality of life. This can include hospital, birth defects doctor's or pharmaceutical costs, as well as aidive devices and treatments.

Chemical Exposure

A birth defect lawyer can file a lawsuit on behalf of families of children who suffer from congenital disabilities that result from the negligence of businesses that expose pregnant women chemicals or drugs that cause birth defects. These lawyers are specially-trained to determine the root of the birth defects so that they can file a lawsuit against companies who expose pregnant women to teratogens either at work or in their home.

Some of the chemical exposures that can lead to birth defects are metals, fungicides, herbicides and other pesticides. These chemicals are referred to as Teratogens since they affect the development of a healthy embryo through chemical changes that cause abnormal organs, or disrupt normal cell function. These chemicals are present in a variety environments, including processing of semiconductors and metal cleaning.

Other hazardous chemicals that could cause birth defects include aliphatic cyaninated hydrocarbons such as perchloroethylene (trichloroethylene), trichloroethylene ( dichloroethane. These chemicals have been proven to cause cardiac birth defects in babies born to mothers who were exposed during their time in the womb.

Parents have filed lawsuits against a variety of companies that were involved in the exposure of families of soldiers at Camp Lejeune to these harmful chemicals. Some of these birth defect lawyers have obtained substantial settlements on behalf families who had their children born with severe birth defects because of exposure to toxic chemicals at the base.

Environmental Exposure

Certain birth defects can be caused by the combination of medical negligence and environmental factors or chemicals. If a family suspects a child's birth defects may be the result of medical negligence, prescription drug overdose, or exposure to harmful chemicals such as benzene, they should seek out a DC birth injury attorney to discuss their case.

Chemicals and other substances in the environment can cause serious birth defects if they are ingested or taken in by pregnant women. Teratogens are the term used to describe these substances. More than 4 million chemicals are present in our food, air and water Some of them can be harmful when they come into contact with a woman who is pregnant.

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

LK's skilled birth defect attorneys have brought numerous lawsuits on behalf of children who suffer from a variety of birth defects resulting from improper exposure to chemicals and toxic substances at workplaces or in their homes. These lawsuits often involve sophisticated scientific analysis and experts as witnesses, like toxicologists or epidemiologists, geneticists occupational medicine experts, and embryologists.