Don t Make This Silly Mistake When It Comes To Your Birth Defect Litigation

Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

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

A Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can help you file an action to collect compensation for the costs of taking care of your disabled child. A legal claim for birth defects can be complex, so you should consult a lawyer whenever you can.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals must adhere to a standard of care when treating pregnant women and their babies. If the actions of a doctor are not in line with this standard and cause birth defect or injury the doctor could be held responsible for damages sustained by their patient. A DC lawyer who has experience in birth defect lawsuits can assist you in determining whether your child's condition was caused by a medical mistake during pregnancy or the birth.

A doctor could also be the cause of an injury that occurs during birth if they fail in diagnosing or appropriately respond to distress in the fetus. This can lead to many serious problems like hypoxic-ischemic neuropathy and brain injuries such as cerebral palsy.

The distinction between a birth defect and a birth injury is that defects are part of a person's genetic make-up however, injuries are caused by something that happens during pregnancy, labor, or birth. The causes of injuries include conditions such as Erb's palsy, which occurs when the nerves that stimulate and control an infant's arms are stretched or ruptured during birth and caput succedaneum, an increase in the size of the scalp. Both of these can lead to lifelong disability and require ongoing treatment, birth defect lawyer resulting in significant medical bills. A Washington, DC birth defect lawyer can offer a no-cost initial consultation to review your case and determine the best method of action for you and your child.

Prescription Drugs

A birth defect lawyer could be able to help parents identify the root of the birth injury or defect. While many birth defects are caused by genetics and the factors that influence the mother's pregnancy, they can also occur because of medications. A variety of commonly used medications can have negative effects on foetuses. This is especially applicable in the early months of pregnancy. Anti-nausea medication, NSAIDs and chemotherapy drugs are among the most popular. These medications have been proven to increase the risk of developing limb and heart defects, brain deformities and craniosynostosis.

It is the duty of a doctor to be aware of the potential risks when prescribing medications for pregnant women. If doctors fail to adhere to this standard of care, then they may be held liable for negligence. Pharmaceutical companies can be held liable as well for not adequately informing mothers of the dangers associated with their medicines. For instance, Zofran, a medication used to treat nausea in cancer patients, has been proven to significantly increase the risk of serious congenital defects during the first trimester of pregnancy.

A birth defect lawyer can assist family members receive compensation for future and current medical expenses related to the disability or injury, and also loss of income and quality of life. This can include hospital, doctor's or pharmaceutical costs, in addition to aidive devices and therapies.

Chemical Exposure

A birth defect lawyer can bring an action on behalf of families of children with congenital disabilities that result from the negligence of companies that expose pregnant women chemicals or drugs that cause birth defects. These lawyers are specially trained to identify the cause of birth defects, so that they can bring a lawsuit against companies who expose pregnant women to teratogens either at workplace or at home.

Metals, fungicides herbicides and pesticides are some of the chemicals that can cause birth defects. These chemicals are known as Teratogens since they interfere with the normal development of a the fetus via chemical changes that lead to abnormal organs or block normal cell function. These chemicals are found in a variety of settings, including semiconductor manufacturing and metal cleaning.

Other chemicals that can cause birth defects are aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene and dichloroethane. These chemicals have been proven to cause cardiac birth defects in babies born to mothers exposed during their time in the womb.

Parents have filed lawsuits against various firms that were responsible for the exposure of families of soldiers at Camp Lejeune to these harmful chemicals. Some of the birth defect lawyers have gotten significant settlements for families whose children were born with severe defects because of the toxic chemical exposures at the base.

Environmental Exposure

Some birth defects are caused by the combination of medical negligence and environmental conditions or chemical. If a family suspects a child's birth defects may be due to medical negligence, prescription drug overdose, or exposure to harmful chemical such as benzene, they should seek out an DC birth injury lawyer to discuss their case.

If pregnant women consume or absorb contaminants from the environment, they can cause serious birth defects. These chemicals are called Teratogens. Over 4 million chemicals are found in our food, air and water and some are harmful if they come into contact with a woman who is pregnant.

For instance, arsenic in drinking water and cadmium from coal that is contaminated can cause numerous birth defects and other health problems. Certain birth defects are also linked to industrial solvents like benzene (a metal degreaser), toluene (a solvent for plastics) and trichloroethylene. Glycol-ethers also increase the risk of birth defects in women. These chemicals are used to make semiconductors display panels, silicon chip displays, and video displays.

LK's highly experienced birth defect lawyers have brought numerous lawsuits on behalf of children who suffer from a myriad of birth defects caused by improper exposure to chemicals and toxic substances at workplaces or in their homes. These lawsuits involve complicated scientific analyses and expert witnesses, such as toxicologists and epidemiologists.