Birth Defect Lawsuits

While medical advances have significantly reduced the risks associated with pregnancies, many birth injuries and birth defects are the result of negligence. Whether through chemical exposure at work or improperly prescribed medications, parents who are shocked often have an opportunity to claim compensation.

In many states, the statute of limitations for a case is just one year. It is therefore important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can guide clients and help them determine the worth of their case.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice claims can occur at any time during the pregnancy, labor or delivery process. Medical malpractice claims may be filed if a physician fails the accepted standard of practice and the failure causes injury or birth defects.

Doctors are accountable for assessing the condition of an expecting mother's current medication and taking into consideration any health issues she might have, and advising the mother of risks to her baby. If a doctor fails to fulfill their responsibilities and causes harm may be held accountable for medical negligence.

A birth defect lawyer can help you decide whether the claim for medical malpractice is valid and help you through the legal procedure. Medical malpractice is a sensitive matter, so you'll need an experienced lawyer you can be confident in.

The sooner you start the sooner you can begin. A qualified birth defect lawyer can assist you with filing your claim before the time limit in your state runs out. The majority of states allow you a single year to file a medical negligence lawsuit, and processing this kind of devastating event takes time. It is essential to find a lawyer who can swiftly obtain the required documents and gather evidence for your case. This is particularly important when your baby has suffered injuries due to negligence at the hands of a medical professional, as the faster you initiate legal action, the more evidence you'll have to prove your case.

Environmental Causes

Although birth defects that are genetic account for a significant percentage of all cases, birth defect environmental causes also play a role. These causes are generally not known to scientists, and can include a mother's exposure to harmful chemicals or substances at work or home. Solvents, paint thinners and engraving materials, in addition to cleaning fluids and metal alloys can increase the chance of a child being born with a birth defect. These kinds of exposures are the basis of birth defect lawsuits that LK's lawyers filed on behalf of clients who worked in beauty salons and paint factories, as well as semiconductor manufacturing facilities.

Sadly, most cases of severe birth defects stem due to environmental or genetic factors that are not able to be cured through lifestyle choices or medical treatment. Doctors and scientists have difficulty diagnosing the cause of a specific birth defect. The only way to reduce the amount of birth defects is to educate women who are expecting and to assist them in being cautious about their food choices and medications as well as lifestyle choices.

A medical malpractice case that involves a birth defect is different from a typical personal injury lawsuit in that a birth defect case requires an understanding of both legal and medical issues. Our birth defect lawyers are familiar with the complicated nature of these cases, and will fight to obtain the justice you deserve.

Drugs

Pregnancy medications can cause birth defects which include limb and facial abnormalities and eye disorders and spinal cord issues, and many other conditions. If a child suffers a birth defect because of medication, the parents could have an action against the drug manufacturer in a lawsuit for product liability.

A birth defect can be caused by exposure to prescription medicines or toxic chemicals as well as other environmental factors in the first three months of pregnancy, a critical period for development. If your child suffers from an anomaly in the birth that could be the result of medication, a birth defect lawyer can help you understand your legal options.

A majority of drug manufacturers are required to test their products thoroughly before releasing their products to the public. Additionally, they must warn consumers about possible side effects. If a manufacturer is discovered to be selling drugs that cause grave birth defects, parents can pursue compensation in an action with the help of a birth defect attorney.

Certain types of medicines can cause birth defects such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), lithium angiotensin II antagonists and cancer treatments like thalidomide and diethylstilbestrol. LK's medical malpractice attorneys have won billions for families whose children suffered injuries as a result of the use of these and other pharmaceutical drugs. The firm has also fought cases in which children suffered injuries from exposure to toxic chemicals at work, or birth defect from environmental pollutants.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is among the most exciting and stressful times in a woman's life. If something goes wrong during this period, the consequences could be a lot more severe. Birth defects can cause serious damage to the child's limbs, brain, heart or overall body functioning. This can cause the child to live a shorter lifespan and cause a lot of pain for their parents.

While some birth defects are genetic, other may be caused by negligent actions of medical practitioners and hospital personnel. This may include prescribing medication that can cause birth defects or giving the wrong dosage. It could also be as easy as failing to monitor the fetus's health or exposing the mother's body to harmful chemicals during her pregnancy.

A New York birth injury attorney should be contacted as soon as possible by a parent who believes that the birth defect or injury of their child is due to medical negligence. A lawyer can help determine the best path to take and the amount of compensation a parent may be entitled to.

Birth defects are a tragic result of medical malpractice, chemical exposure, environmental causes or a combination of causes. The knowledgeable New York birth defect lawyers at Finz & Finz on Long Island and in New York City can help should you believe that your child's illness was due to the negligence of someone else. Call toll-free today for a free case strategy session.