What Is The Evolution Of Birth Defect Litigation

Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

If your child was born with an anomaly in the birth this can be devastating for you and your family. The cost of therapy, medical bills and other expenses can quickly become a burden.

A Hyattsville lawyer who is specialized in birth defects could help to file a claim for compensation for the costs of caring for your disabled children. A legal claim for birth defects can be complex, so you should consult with a legal professional as soon as possible.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals must adhere to a certain standard when treating pregnant women or their babies. When a doctor's actions are in violation of this standard and cause birth defect attorney defects or injuries the doctor could be held accountable for injuries suffered by their patient. A DC lawyer who is experienced in lawsuits involving birth defects will help you determine if your child's health condition may be the result of an error made by a doctor during the pregnancy or delivery.

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

The distinction between birth defects and birth injury is that defects are a part of a person's genetic make-up and injuries are caused by something occurring during labor, pregnancy, or during delivery. The causes of injuries include conditions such as Erb's palsy which develops when the nerves that power and control the infant's arms are stretched or ruptured during birth as well as caput succedaneum which is an increase in the size of the scalp. Both can lead to a permanent disability, and continued treatment will cost a great deal of money. A Washington, DC lawyer who specializes in birth defects can offer a free consultation in order to analyze your case and determine the most appropriate course for you and your baby.

Prescription Drugs

An attorney for birth defects may be able to assist parents in determining the root of an infant's birth injury. While many birth defects are the result of the genetics of the mother's pregnancy but they can also happen as a result 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 medications are among the most commonly used. These drugs have been linked to an increased chance of limb deformities, heart defects, brain defects and craniosynostosis.

It is a doctor's professional duty to be aware of these risks when prescribing medicines for pregnant women. If doctors fail to follow this standard of care, then they could be held accountable for negligence. Pharma companies can also be held accountable for not adequately informing mothers of the risks associated with their medications. Zofran, which is used to treat nausea in cancer patients, was found to increase the risk of major defects in first-trimester pregnancies.

An attorney for birth defects can assist a family to obtain compensation for medical expenses, loss of income and quality of life. This could include hospital fees medical expenses, doctor's fees and pharmaceutical costs and other costs, along with assistive devices and therapy.

Chemical Exposure

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

Some of the chemical exposures that contribute to birth defects are the fungicides, metals, herbicides and other pesticides. These chemicals are referred to as Teratogens because they affect the healthy development a foetus by causing chemical changes that lead to abnormal organs or hinder normal cell function. These chemicals can be found in many different situations, such as semiconductor manufacturing and metal cleaning.

Other dangerous chemicals that may 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 who were exposed in the womb.

Parents have filed lawsuits against several firms that were responsible for exposing the families of soldiers at Camp Lejeune to these harmful chemicals. Some of these birth defect lawyers have secured substantial settlements on behalf of families who had their children born with severe birth defects because of exposure to toxic chemicals at the base.

Environmental Exposure

Some birth defects can be caused by the combination of medical negligence and environmental conditions or chemicals. If a family suspects that a child's birth defects may be the result of medical negligence or prescription drug overdose or exposure to harmful chemicals and/or environmental factors, they should talk to a DC birth injury lawyer to discuss their case.

Chemicals and other contaminants in the environment can cause serious birth defects if they are ingested or absorbed by pregnant women. Teratogens is the name given to these substances. Over 4 million chemicals are present in our food, air and water and some can be harmful if they come into contact with a woman who is pregnant.

For instance, arsenic from drinking water and cadmium in contaminated coal can cause numerous birth defects and other health issues. Industrial solvents such as trichloroethylene, toluene, and benzene (a metal degreaser) are also linked with certain birth defects. Glycol-ethers are also known to increase the risk of birth defects in women. These chemicals are used in the production of semiconductors display devices, silicon chip displays and video displays.

LK's experienced birth defect attorneys have filed numerous lawsuits on behalf of children who have suffered from a range of birth defects as a result of the wrongful exposure to chemicals and toxic substances at work or in their homes. These lawsuits involve complex scientific analyses and expert witnesses such as toxicologists and epidemiologists.