The 3 Greatest Moments In Birth Defect Litigation History

Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

If your child was born with an anomaly in the birth it could have a devastating impact on you and your family. Medical bills, therapy expenses and other losses can quickly add up.

A Hyattsville birth defect lawyer can help you file a claim to recover compensation for the costs of caring for your child with disabilities. A legal claim for birth defect lawsuits defects could be complex, so you should consult a lawyer as soon as possible.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals must adhere to a set of guidelines when treating pregnant women and their infants. If a doctor's actions are not in line with this standard and result in an injury or birth defect the doctor could be held accountable for the injuries suffered by their patient. A DC lawyer with experience in lawsuits for birth defects can assist you in determining whether your child's condition may have been caused by a medical error during the pregnancy or delivery.

A doctor may also be responsible for a birth injury when they fail to diagnose or adequately respond to fetal distress. This can lead to a range of serious issues, including hypoxic ischemic brain injury (HIE) and brain injuries, such as cerebral palsy.

The difference between birth defects and birth injury is that defects are part of a person's genetic make-up and injuries are triggered due to something happening during pregnancy, labor, or birth. The most common injuries are Erb's Palsy which occurs when the nerves that control the infant's arms and limbs are stretched or torn. Another form of injury is the caput succedaneum, swelling of the scalp. Both can result in permanent disability, and ongoing treatment can cost a significant amount of money. A Washington, DC birth defect lawyer can offer a no-cost initial consultation to analyze your case and determine the best course of action for you and your child.

Prescription Drugs

A birth defect lawyer may be able to assist parents determine the reason for the birth injury or defect. Many birth defects are caused by genetics or factors during pregnancy. However, certain medications can also cause birth defects. Many common medications can have negative effects on the fetuses. This is especially evident in the initial three months of pregnancy. Anti-nausea medicines, NSAIDs and chemotherapy medications are among the most common. These drugs have been found to increase the risk of developing limb and brain defects, heart defects, and craniosynostois.

A doctor's responsibility is to take into consideration these risks when prescribing medication for pregnant women. If doctors do not meet the standards of care required, they may be liable for medical malpractice. Pharma companies may also be held responsible for not properly informing mothers about the dangers associated with their medications. Zofran, which is used to treat nausea in cancer patients, was found to increase the risk of major defects in the first trimester pregnancies.

A birth defect lawyer can assist families get compensation for future and current medical expenses that result from the disability or injury as well as loss of income and quality of life. This can include hospital, doctor's or pharmaceutical costs, in addition to assistive devices and treatments.

Chemical Exposure

A birth defect lawyer can bring an action on behalf of the families of children suffering from congenital disabilities that result from the negligence of companies which expose pregnant women to chemicals or drugs that cause birth defects. These lawyers are specially trained to discover the root of the birth defect to file a lawsuit against companies that expose mothers to teratogens as they work or in their homes.

Some of the chemical exposures that can lead to birth defects include the use of fungicides and metals as well as herbicides and other pesticides. These chemicals are called teratogens due to the fact that they affect the development of a healthy embryo through chemical changes that cause abnormal organs or prevent normal cell function. These chemicals can be found in many different environments, including the manufacturing of semiconductors and cleaning of metals.

Other hazardous chemicals that could cause birth defects are aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbons such as perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene or dichloroethane. These chemicals have been found to cause birth problems, including cardiac disorders in babies born to mothers exposed to them while in the womb.

Parents have filed lawsuits against various companies involved in exposing the families of soldiers at Camp Lejeune to these harmful chemicals. Some of the birth defect lawyers have obtained substantial settlements on behalf of families whose children were born with serious defects as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals at the base.

Environmental Exposure

Some birth defects could be caused by a combination of medical negligence and environmental factors. If a family believes that the birth defect in their child could be the result of medical negligence, prescription drug overdose or 133.6.219.42 exposure to harmful chemicals, they should contact a DC birth injury lawyer to discuss the situation.

If pregnant women consume or absorb contaminants from the environment They could cause serious birth defects. These substances are known as Teratogens. Over 4 million chemicals exist in our food, air and water, and some of them can be harmful if they come into contact with pregnant women.

Arsenic from drinking water or cadmium found in coal that has been contaminated for instance, can cause birth defects and other health issues. Certain birth defects are also related to industrial solvents, such as benzene (a metal degreaser) as well as toluene (a solvent for plastics) and trichloroethylene. Glycol-ethers are also known to increase the risk of birth defects in women. These chemicals are used to manufacture semiconductors, silicon chip displays and video displays.

LK's highly experienced birth defect lawyers have brought many lawsuits on behalf of children suffering from a wide range of birth defects due to unintentional exposure to toxic chemicals and chemicals at workplaces or in their homes. These lawsuits involve complicated scientific analyses and expert witnesses like toxicologists and epidemiologists.