Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Attorney

Finding out that your child has a birth defect can turn the joy of parenthood into a frightening experience. The majority of birth defects require ongoing medical care, which can lead to staggering financial costs.

A New York Kenner birth defect attorney (vimeo.com) defects attorney can determine if the condition of your child is due to medical malpractice or harmful chemicals or pharmaceuticals.

Causes of Birth Defects

If your child suffers an abnormality in the birth process that could have been prevented by a medical professional, you should consult an Long Island birth defects attorney immediately. A reputable lawyer will be able to handle the preceding steps quickly and efficiently, so that you can take time to grieve for the loss of your family member.

Birth defects can affect every part of the embryo. They may cause physical problems or developmental disabilities, intellectual and physical including difficulty communicating or learning, or Scarsdale birth defect lawyer difficulties with physical activities such as walking or taking care of oneself.

Some birth defects can even be detected prior to the birth of the baby by using special tests. This includes analyzing the cells in blood samples or taking a sample of amniotic fluid or the placenta. Doctors are increasingly able to diagnose birth defects through ultrasound fetal and magnetic resonance imaging.

Certain birth defects may be caused by genetic factors, for example the chromosomes in a fetus's body and genes. These genetic defects could be passed on from parents, or they can be caused by new mutations in the DNA of the embryo that were discovered during the conception. A few of the more common birth defects that are genetic in nature include spina bifida, trisomy 21 and Tay-Sachs's disease. Many other birth defects that are genetic are not known to have a cause in any way.

Medical Malpractice

If you or your child suffered a medical injury due to an error made by a doctor or another health care professional, you could have a claim for medical malpractice. This could be due to inability to diagnose, for instance, a doctor who does not take your symptoms seriously, gives an incorrect diagnosis, is unable to begin the proper treatment or fails to follow-up with test results. It could also involve mistakes with medication, like an inaccurate diagnosis of anesthesia, giving too much medication or the wrong type of medications, and surgical mistakes.

Finding a lawyer who has experience in malpractice cases may be a challenge. You can ask family members, friends as well as lawyers from other fields for suggestions. You can also contact your state bar. Many bar associations provide search/referral services to help you locate a qualified medical negligence attorney.

Chemical Exposure

Birth problems can be caused by dangerous chemicals that can harm the mother or fetus. A lot of these chemicals are used in the workplace, where they are utilized in the making of products like paint, ceramic glazes, batteries and plastics. These chemicals can be consumed or inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Certain of these toxins are known to increase the likelihood of the child to develop birth defects, such as spina-bifida, or other psychological and physical disorders.

These teratogen chemical agents may be contained in medications negligently prescribed by doctors, in chemical substances employed in the workplace like those in semiconductor "clean room" environments or in toxic substances that pollute the air and water of communities. The Thornton Law Firm has represented many parents whose children have been born with serious birth defects after the mothers were exposed to glycol ethers or coal ash, as well as pesticides at their place of employment.

If you think your child's birth defect was caused by negligence by a doctor, a hazardous drug or exposure to toxic substances during pregnancy, consult an experienced New York birth injury attorney for a free consultation about your case today. These claims have a strict statute of limitations and are time-sensitive. An expert attorney can help determine whether your child is able to make a claim and if it should be filed through a court proceeding or settlement agreements.

Product Liability

Many birth defects could be the result of a wrong prescription or exposure to chemicals. Parents are advised to speak with a birth defect attorney immediately if they believe that the child's condition is due to medical negligence or dangerous medications. These cases can be complicated and time-sensitive.

Medical malpractice cases typically involve the underlying cause of a birth defect due to environmental factors, such as exposure to environmental chemicals and prescriptions for improperly administered drugs, or inadequate prenatal care. It is essential for families to seek legal help immediately since the time-limit for a medical malpractice claim is limited to 1 year.

Birth defect lawsuits for medication are also filed in cases where a doctor acted negligently when prescribing medications to the mother, for example not knowing the way in which a certain drug could interact with other medications that the mother may be taking or by not adequately advising the mother of the side effects. A Maryland lawyer who specializes in medical birth defect law firm defects can assist clients in recovering damages when a doctor causes a birth defect or injury due to negligence.

A newborn who is suffering from a serious birth defect may have to spend a lot of money on medical treatment, surgery, and therapy throughout the life of the child. A skilled and experienced birth defect attorney can help parents determine if their child's medical issue was the result of medical negligence, a dangerous drug or toxic exposure.