10 Apps To Help Manage Your Birth Defect Litigation

Birth Defect Lawsuits

Parents want their children to be perfect, but sometimes that's impossible. If this happens it is vital for parents to seek the help of seasoned birth defect lawyers.

Medical negligence, dangerous drugs and exposure to environmental hazards can lead to serious birth defects and injuries. A New York birth defect law firm can help you find answers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical negligence occurs when a doctor violates the accepted standard of care in his or her field. This may include not performing prenatal tests and prescribing medicines that increase the risk of birth defects or committing an error during labor and delivery.

Birth defects and birth injuries can be the result of genetic and environmental causes, however sometimes they arise due to a doctor's negligence or malpractice. If a physician fails to detect congenital defects in utero and fails to inform parents that their child is disabled, parents may be eligible to file a claim for wrongful birth seeking compensation for all the costs for their child's disabilities.

To prevail in a medical malpractice case in birth defect cases the plaintiff must demonstrate that the doctor owed a duty of care to the patient, that he breached this duty, that his actions or lack of action directly caused damages and injuries and that the plaintiff suffered economic and noneconomic damages from the injuries. These damages could include medical bills as well as lost wages and emotional distress.

Prenatal visits are crucial to ensure that pregnant women are provided with the appropriate tests and monitoring. If you suspect that medical malpractice caused the birth defect of your child seek out a medical malpractice and birth injury attorney immediately.

Toxic Chemicals

Every year, thousands of children are born with a form of birth defect in the United States. These birth defects can vary in severity and affect the manner in which a child looks and behaves throughout life. Some are minor and others can cause serious problems that may be fatal.

The reasons for a child's birth defects could be due to genetic abnormalities or a variety of chemical and environmental factors. Exposure to harmful chemicals, for instance can trigger serious complications in babies. Our firm is determined to hold employers accountable for exposure of pregnant women and their unborn babies to harmful substances or drugs.

In the scientific research, it is known that certain chemicals and toxins may be transmitted through the placenta, affecting the unborn child. These chemicals are teratogenic. Exposure to these teratogenic chemicals may cause birth defects like the cleft lip and palate, spina bifida and muscular dystrophy.

While working, mothers are exposed to a variety of harmful chemicals. These chemicals can be ingested, inhaled or absorbed into the skin. These chemicals include industrial solvants like ethylene glycol-ethers (EGE) which are used in the fabrication of semiconductors. Parents can also be exposed toxins when they are consuming certain prescription or over-the-counter medications. Many pharmaceuticals have not been properly tested on pregnant women and have caused birth defects.

Environmental Exposure

While genetic disorders are one of the most frequent causes of birth defects, exposure to environmental factors can also play a role. The presence of various chemicals and toxins at the home, at work and in food can increase the risk of developing birth defects. This includes fungicides, pesticides and lead, as well as heavy metals, certain paints and various chemical substances. Exposure to these toxic substances is almost always inevitable. However, if companies fail to safeguard pregnant employees they're negligent and could be held accountable.

Researchers have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of a birth defect. It could be that a combination of factors can cause the condition. The next step is to analyze these interactions in real-time. The National Children's Study is important because it is now underway across several states. The NCS will enroll 100,000 women from a representative population and follow them over time, as well as their children. This study will provide comprehensive data on the effects of environmental factors on the health of children and fetuses.

Many parents who are suffering from a birth defect in their child feel guilty for having contributed to the condition, but it is often the case that these kinds of defects are a given. Our birth defect attorneys understand this and are committed to helping families whose children are born with birth defects.

Product Liability

Many birth defects are caused by a variety of factors, ranging from drugs and alcohol use during pregnancy to genetics. Fortunately, most of these causes can be avoided. If your child was diagnosed with a medical issue that could have been prevented, you may be able to get compensation in a lawsuit for birth defects.

A New York birth defect attorney can help you determine if the condition of your child is due to the use of a medicine, chemical or environmental exposure that qualifies for compensation. Based on the severity of your child's illness, your legal team will be able to estimate the full cost of the medical bills admissible for compensation.

While the majority of these cases are not caused due to medical negligence, there have been cases where a doctor was negligent during or prior to labor and birth. A doctor might prescribe a medication incorrectly that could harm a baby, even before birth, or may make an error during surgery.

Our birth defect lawyers have successfully pursued claims against drug manufacturers in which a mother's health healthcare provider has been exposed to prescription drugs or toxic chemicals that increase the likelihood of her having a child with a birth defect. We have also filed birth defect lawsuits against semiconductor and paint factories that expose their workers hazardous substances during their work.