Birth Defect Lawsuits

Parents want their children to be perfect however, sometimes that's impossible. When this happens, it's important parents who are shocked seek the assistance of experienced birth defects 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 malpractice occurs when a physician violates the accepted standard of care in his or her area of expertise. This may include failing to perform prenatal screening and prescribing medicines that increase the likelihood of birth defects or committing an error during labor and delivery.

Birth defects and birth injury are often caused by environmental and genetic causes, but they can also be the result of the negligence of a physician. For example the case where a doctor fails to recognize an inborn disability and then fails to notify the parents of this disability, the parents may file a wrongful birth claim seeking compensation for the lifelong expenses incurred by the disabled child.

A successful medical malpractice claim in birth defect cases requires that the doctor was obligated to the patient to perform a duty of care, that the doctor breached this duty, that the doctor's actions or inability to act caused injuries and damages, and that the victim was harmed economically and non-economically due to his or her injuries. These damages could include medical bills and lost wages, as well as emotional distress.

Prenatal visits are essential to ensure that pregnant women receive the proper tests and monitoring. If you suspect that medical malpractice caused your child's birth defects Contact a medical negligence and birth injury lawyer right away.

Toxic Chemicals

Every year, thousands of children are born with some kind of birth defect in the United States. These birth defects can vary in severity and impact the how a child appears, behaves and performs in life. Some are minor birth defect lawsuits while others can cause serious issues that could be fatal.

The causes of a child's birth defects may be due to genetic abnormalities or a range of environmental and chemical factors. For example exposure to toxic chemicals can cause serious complications for a newborn. Our company is committed to ensuring that employers are held accountable when they expose pregnant women or their unborn children to harmful drugs or substances.

In scientific research, it is known that certain chemicals and toxins can traverse the placenta and affect an unborn child. These chemicals are referred to as teratogenic. These teratogenic chemicals can cause birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates and spina bifida.

While working, mothers are exposed to a variety of harmful chemicals. They can be ingested, inhaled or absorbed into the skin of the body. These chemicals include industrial solvents, such as EGE, ethylene glycol ethers (EGE) employed in the production of semiconductors. Parents may also be exposed toxic substances when they consume certain over-the-counter and prescription drugs. This is because many pharmaceuticals aren't adequately tested on pregnant women and have been shown to cause birth defects.

Environmental Exposure

While genetic disorders are among the most frequent causes of birth defects, environmental exposure is also a major cause. The presence of a variety of chemicals and toxins at the home, at work and in food can increase the risk of developing birth defects. These include fungicides, pesticides, lead, heavy metals, some paints and many other chemical substances. Exposure to these toxins is generally inevitable. If businesses fail to protect their pregnant employees, it is negligence and they can be held accountable.

Researchers are still unable to pinpoint the precise cause of a birth defect. It is possible that a mix of factors could cause the condition. The problem is to study the interactions in real-time. This is why the National Children's Study, now being conducted in a number of states, is so crucial. The NCS will enroll 100,000 women from a representative population and track their progress over time and their children. This study will provide the most complete information to date on how a variety of environmental factors impact fetal and child health.

Many parents suffering from a child's birth defect are resentful that they have contributed to the problem, but it is often the case that these types of defects are a given. Our birth defect lawyers understand this and are dedicated in helping families who have children who have birth defects.

Product Liability

Many birth defects result from a variety of factors ranging from drug and alcohol use during pregnancy to genetics. Fortunately, most of these causes can be prevented. If your child was born with a medical condition which could have been prevented in the first place, you may be able to recover damages through a birth defect lawsuit.

A New York birth defect attorney can assist you to determine if your child's problem is due to a medication, chemical or environmental exposure that is eligible for compensation. Your legal team can calculate the total cost of medical bills associated with your child's condition in relation to the severity.

While the majority of these cases are not the result of medical negligence however, there have been instances where a doctor has been negligent prior to or during labor and delivery. A doctor could prescribe a medication incorrectly that can harm a baby before birth, or may make an error during surgery.

Our birth defect lawyers have successfully defended lawsuits against drug makers where a mother's health care provider has been exposed to prescription medication or toxic chemicals that increase the chances of her having a child with birth defects. We also have brought birth defect lawsuits against companies who expose workers to harmful substances in the workplace in a paint factory or semiconductor manufacturing company.