Five Killer Quora Answers To Birth Defect Attorneys

Why It Is Important to Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

When you learn that your child was born with a birth defect what could be a joyful time can quickly turn into a time filled with anxiety and uncertainty. It is imperative to contact a medical malpractice or birth defect lawyer right away.

You'll need to collect bills and receipts, credit card payments and other evidence of your losses in order to receive full compensation for your damages. We have represented family members in claims against large electronic companies, producers of agricultural pesticides and commercial growers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice or errors that occur during pregnancy can be the cause of numerous birth defects. Certain of these problems are more severe than others, however all birth defects or injuries can be devastating for the child and their family members. An attorney for medical malpractice can help determine whether the doctor erred that led to the injury or defect.

Doctors can identify birth defects by performing screening tests during pregnancy. When these tests are performed and properly, parents will be aware of the chance of their child developing an abnormal birth. This information allows them to decide whether to terminate the pregnancy or prepare for the birth and treatment of the child. If the doctor does not take or interpret the results of these tests or fails to notify the parents of the results, this could be deemed medical negligence.

Medical treatments for birth defects can be costly. These treatments can include surgeries, specialists, medication as well as speech and physical therapies as well as assistive equipment. The amount of compensation awarded by an untimely birth lawsuit can assist in easing the financial burden associated with these costs which will allow families to get the treatment their child requires. Medical malpractice claims are often complex and time-sensitive. Therefore, it's important to get a skilled attorney as soon as you can.

Prescription Drugs

Although modern technology and recent advancements in the medical field have drastically reduced the risk of birth defects and injuries however, they're still a possibility. Birth injuries and birth defects can be severe or mild, and they often require life-long medical care. In some cases, they could even cause death. A Boston lawyer who is knowledgeable about dangerous drugs can help parents recover compensation to cover their child's medical expenses now and in the near future, which includes hospitalizations and doctor's appointments, rehabilitation services, assistive equipment and much more.

If a doctor prescribes medication to a pregnant mother that increases the likelihood of her child developing a birth defect they might be guilty of medical malpractice. They are required to be aware of the effects of medications on the development of the fetus, and not prescribe drugs harmful to the fetus.

Prescription medicines that increase the risk of having a birth defect are referred to as teratogens. They include anti-seizure drugs such as Dilantin, Lamictal, Tegretol and Topamax. The FDA has warned against using these medications during pregnancy. They could increase the risk of cleft lips and cleft palates as well as brain, lung and heart abnormalities. These drugs also carry a possibility of miscarriage among women who are pregnant or nursing. Parents can sue their doctors, manufacturers of the drugs as well as the pharmacists who prescribed them for failing to warn them about their risks.

Toxic Chemicals

When a baby is born with a birth defect the parents often wonder what caused it. In reality, several factors can cause birth defects, ranging from drug-related side effects to toxic chemical exposure in utero.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 33 babies is born with a birth defect. These conditions can be anything from minor to severe and even life-threatening. Most of the time a birth defect is a result of genetic defects. However, a significant number of birth problems are the result exposure to chemicals or environmental factors which occurs during the womb. These chemicals are called Teratogens, and they increase the risk of functional or structural defects that are not reverseable in offspring.

A lot of people in the United States are exposed to industrial chemicals on a daily basis. The list of potentially harmful chemical is long, covering semiconductor and technology manufacturing facilities with clean rooms, to pesticides used on farms and nurseries and plastics, paint, automobiles, and paint manufacturing facilities.

It's not typical for companies not to warn their customers about the potential dangers of these chemicals. LK's birth defect attorneys can help families fight against large corporations who put profits ahead of the health and safety of their employees and children.

Environmental Exposure

Parents may be very upset by a child's birth defect due to the fact that they will have to provide medical treatment throughout the life of their infant. Some birth defects can cause mental and physical disabilities for the baby for life depending on the severity.

While certain birth defects are unavoidable due to genetics, many others are caused by exposure to chemicals or environmental elements during pregnancy. This includes prescription drugs and toxic chemicals that the mother can ingest or chemicals that have been contaminated by groundwater or air.

Birth defect lawsuits aren't restricted to medical malpractice. They can also be filed against individuals or businesses who are responsible for the injuries of the child. If a doctor prescribes medication that increases the likelihood of developing a birth defect then they could be held responsible.

The same goes for business owners or individuals who expose workers to dangerous chemicals and other substances. Numerous studies have demonstrated that exposure to pesticides, fungicides and lead, as well as metals and paints can increase the likelihood of having a child born with certain types of birth defects. In order to address this issue there were lawsuits filed against beauty salons and metal cleaning facilities as well as semiconductor manufacturing facilities and painting factories. Web-based integrated birth defect surveillance in 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.