Birth Defect Lawsuits

Parents want their children to be perfect, but at times that's not feasible. If that happens it is crucial that stunned parents seek out the assistance of skilled birth defect lawyers.

Medical negligence, dangerous drugs and environmental exposure can cause serious birth defects and injuries. A New York birth defects law firm can assist.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor does not adhere to the accepted standards of care in his or her area of expertise. This could include failing to conduct routine prenatal testing and prescribing a medication that increases the likelihood of birth defect or making a misstep during the labor and delivery.

Birth defects and birth injuries are usually the result of environmental and genetic factors however, they could also be the result of the negligence of a doctor. For instance when a doctor fails to detect an inborn disability and then fails to notify the parents of this condition, parents may bring a wrongful birth claim seeking compensation for the lifetime expenses associated with the handicapped child.

In order to win a medical malpractice lawsuit in birth defects the plaintiff must demonstrate that the doctor owed a breach of care to the patient, and that he did not fulfill that duty, that his actions or inaction action directly triggered injuries and damages and that he was a victim of economic and non-economic damages as a result of the injuries. These damages could include expenses of medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

Prenatal visits are essential to ensure that pregnant women receive the required testing and monitoring. If you suspect that medical malpractice caused your child's birth defects you should contact a medical malfeasance and birth injury attorney immediately.

Toxic Chemicals

In the United States, thousands of babies are born every year with birth defects. These birth defects can range in severity and impact the way a child looks, behaves and performs in life. Some are minor and birth Defect lawyer others can cause serious issues that could be fatal.

Birth defects can be caused by genetic anomalies or a range of chemcial and environmental causes. For instance, exposure to toxic chemicals can cause serious problems for newborns. Our firm is committed to holding employers accountable for the exposure of pregnant women and unborn children to harmful substances or medications.

It is well-established in the scientific research that certain toxins as well as chemicals can enter the placenta and harm the unborn baby. These toxins are teratogenic. The exposure to these teratogenic chemicals could cause birth defects such as the cleft lip and palate spina bifida, spina bifida and muscle dystrophy.

While working, mothers are exposed a variety of harmful chemicals. They can be inhaled, ingested or simply absorbed through the skin. These chemicals comprise industrial solvents such as the ethylene glycol-ethers (EGE) employed in the manufacture of semiconductors. Parents can also be exposed toxic substances when they consume certain prescription and over-the counter drugs. Many pharmaceuticals have not been tested properly on pregnant woman and have caused birth defects.

Environmental Exposure

While genetic disorders are one of the most frequent causes of birth defects, environmental exposure is also a major cause. The presence of various chemicals and toxins in the workplace, at home and in food items can increase the risk of developing birth defects. This includes fungicides and pesticides lead, heavy metals, some paints and various chemical compounds. Exposure to these toxins is often inevitable. If businesses fail to protect their pregnant employees, it is negligence and they can be held accountable.

Researchers are still trying to determine the precise cause of a birth defect. It is possible that a combination with multiple factors could trigger the problem, but the issue is evaluating these interactions in real time. The National Children's Study is important because it is in progress in several states. The NCS will enroll 100,000 women from representative populations and will follow their progress over time and their children. This study will provide the most comprehensive data on how environmental factors impact the health of infants and children.

Many parents suffering from a birth defect in their child feel guilty that they somehow contributed to the condition, however it is often the case that these kinds of defects are unavoidable. Our birth defect lawyers are aware of this and are committed to helping families seek justice for children suffering from birth defects.

Product Liability

Birth problems can be caused by a variety of causes, ranging from drugs or alcohol consumption during pregnancy to genes. However, many of these issues can be prevented. If your child was born with a medical issue that could have been avoided in the first place, you may be able to claim damages through an action for birth defects.

A New York birth defect lawyer will be able to help you determine whether your child's illness is caused by an exposure to chemicals, medication or other environmental trigger that could be eligible for compensation. Depending on the severity of your child's illness your legal team will also be able to determine the total cost of medical bills that are admissible for compensation.

While the majority of these cases are not caused due to medical negligence however, there have been instances where a doctor was negligent during or before labor and delivery. A doctor might incorrectly prescribe a medication which harms the baby before it is born, or they may make a mistake during surgery.

Our birth defect lawyers have successfully brought lawsuits against drug makers in which a mother's health care provider has been exposed to prescription drugs or toxic chemicals that increase the likelihood of her having a child born with birth defect. We also have brought birth defect lawsuits against companies that expose employees to dangerous substances at work in a paint factory or semiconductor manufacturing company.