5 Killer Quora Answers To Birth Defect Attorneys

Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

Learning that your child has a birth defect can turn what should have been an exciting time into an anxious and uncertain one. It is crucial to contact an experienced medical malpractice and birth defect lawyer right away.

In order to receive the full compensation you are entitled to, you'll be required to keep track of all your receipts, bills as well as credit card payments. We have successfully represented families in lawsuits against big electronics firms as well as agricultural pesticide producers and commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice or errors that occurred during pregnancy are responsible for many birth defects. Some of these issues are more severe than others, but they can be all devastating for the child and loved ones. A medical malpractice attorney can determine if the doctor made an error that caused the injury or defect.

Doctors can spot some birth defects through screening tests during pregnancy. When these tests are performed and properly, parents will be aware of the risk that their child could have a birth defect. This information will allow them to decide if they wish to terminate the pregnancy or prepare for the birth and treatment of the child. If the doctor is unable to conduct or interpret these tests or fails to inform parents of the results, it could be deemed medical negligence.

Medical treatments for birth defects are usually expensive. They can include surgeries, specialists, medication physical and speech therapies and assistive devices. A lawsuit based on wrongful birth can aid in easing the financial burden of these costs. This will enable families to provide the care their child needs. Medical malpractice lawsuits are often complex and time-sensitive. Therefore, it's important to seek out an experienced attorney early enough.

Prescription Drugs

While modern technology and recent developments in the field of medicine have significantly reduced the risk of birth defects and injuries but they are still a possibility. Birth defects and injuries may be minor or severe and require life-long medical care. In some cases they can cause death. A Boston dangerous drug lawyer can help parents obtain compensation for their child's present and future medical expenses, including hospital procedures as well as doctor's visits, rehabilitation services, assistive devices and more.

If a doctor prescribes a medication to an expectant mother that increases the risk of her child developing a birth defect they may be guilty of medical malpractice. They must be aware of what medications affect fetal development and not prescribe medications that are harmful to the fetus.

Teratogens are prescription medicines which increase the likelihood of having a birth defect. They include anti-seizure medicines like Dilantin, Lamictal, Tegretol and Topamax. The FDA has issued warnings regarding the use of these medications during pregnancy. These medications can increase the risk of Cleft lips, cleft palates and heart, lung and other brain disorders. These medications can also cause miscarriage in women who are pregnant or nursing. Parents can sue doctors, drug manufacturers and pharmacists for failing to warn of the dangers.

Toxic Chemicals

If a child is born with a birth defect the parents often wonder what the cause is. Birth defects can be caused by a variety of causes, including adverse effects from medications as well as toxic chemical exposure during pregnancy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 out of 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These issues can be anything from minor to severe and even life-threatening. Most of the time a birth defect is the result of genetic defects. Birth defects are often caused by chemical or environmental exposure during pregnancy. These chemicals are known as teratogens, and they increase the chance of irreversible functional or birth structural problems in offspring.

A lot of Americans are exposed to industrial chemicals every day. The list of chemicals that could be harmful is extensive, ranging from semiconductor and technology factories that have clean rooms, to pesticides that are used in nurseries and farms, and plastics, paint, automobiles, and paint manufacturing facilities.

It's not uncommon for companies to fail to warn their customers about the dangers that could be posed by these chemicals. The birth defect lawyers at LK can assist families in fighting big corporations that place profits over the safety and health of their employees and children.

Environmental Exposure

Being a parent of a child who has a birth defect can be extremely stressful for parents since they will require medical attention throughout the life of their child. Based on the severity of the condition, certain birth defects can result in lifelong physical and mental impairments for the infant.

Some birth defects can't be cured due to genetics. However exposure to chemicals or environmental factors can cause many others. These include prescription drugs, toxic chemicals that the mother might ingest, birth or chemical substances that have contaminated air or groundwater.

Birth defect lawsuits are not limited to medical malpractice. They can also be brought against businesses or individuals who are accountable for the injuries of the child. For instance, if a physician prescribes a medicine which increases the risk of your child's birth defect, they may be found to be responsible.

This is also true for business owners or individuals who expose workers to dangerous chemicals and other substances. Many studies have shown that exposure to pesticides, fungicides, lead, metals and paints could increase the chances of having a child suffering from certain types of birth defects. This is why lawsuits have been filed against beauty salons, metal cleaning operations, semiconductor manufacturing facilities as well as paint factories because of their role in the development of serious birth defects in children. The development of a Web-based integrated Birth Defects Surveillance System for New York State. Wang, Y., Tao, Z., Steen, P.M., Cross, P.K., Druschel, C.M. Hwang, S.-A. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. 14(6): E1-E10. 2008.