Birth Defect Litigation

Certain injuries are beyond the parents' control. Families may be left with a large bill when injuries require expensive procedures and specialized care.

A New York birth defect lawyer can help stunned parents file an appeal and obtain compensation to cover the cost of future expenses. The law has strict time limitations on when a claim may be filed.

Statute of Limitations

Modern technology and medical advancements have helped to reduce the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth. However birth defects and injuries do occur. If they can be prevented, families need to explore their legal options.

Many goleta birth defect attorney defect lawsuits are founded on allegations of medical malpractice. These cases can involve errors committed by nurses or doctors at any point in the taylor birth defect lawyer, labor and delivery processes. In addition medical professionals can be guilty of medical malpractice following a child's birth when they fail to provide the correct treatment.

Generally speaking, the statute of limitations in these cases is generally 2.5 years from the date of the act of medical malpractice. The time frame can be extended to infants. It is essential to talk with an attorney immediately to ensure that all evidence is gathered, and that a timely complaint be filed.

In addition to medical malpractice, a suit can also be filed on behalf of a baby for birth defects caused by improper exposure to chemicals and toxic substances that take place during the mother's pregnancy. Specially trained birth defect lawyers can investigate and prosecute these claims on behalf of the family.

When selecting an attorney for a birth defect or birth injury lawsuit parents should be looking for the following qualities:

Medical Malpractice

Birth defects can cause many mental or physical problems. Some birth defects can be fatal. Some of these problems are genetic, but others are due to exposure to environmental factors or the usage of prescribed drugs during pregnancy.

A medical professional or doctor may be accused of negligence when they cause a birth defect through their actions or inaction. These cases usually involve medical negligence during the birth or labor process. They can also be a result of any perform a task that is not within the standard of medical care, such as not diagnosing an illness or prescribing the wrong medication during pregnancy.

One example of situation involves a drug known as teratogens, which could cause serious birth defects. During pregnancy, doctors typically advise women to stay clear of this medication, which is commonly used in the treatment of seizures. If a pregnant woman is exposed to this drug, she should file a claim.

It is important to select an attorney with experience handling these types of cases. Find a law firm that specializes in this area and works on an hourly basis, which means you won't have to pay a dime unless you succeed. Also, you should look for a lawyer who has excellent negotiation and communication skills. This will help ensure that your claim is filed before the time for filing expires.

Prescription Drugs

Many birth defects result in physical or mental disabilities, birth which require expensive medical care and accommodations for the child. The majority of these problems are inherited, but a few of them can be caused by environmental or chemical exposure, or medications that the mother took during pregnancy.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to thoroughly test their products and warn consumers of any potential risks. Unfortunately some pharmaceutical companies fail to keep up-to-date with current research or fail to anticipate potential adverse effects. Some doctors recommend dangerous drugs to their patients. Some women aren't aware of the dangers associated with taking certain medications during pregnancy. These drugs are referred to as teratogens, and they can cause birth defects in the fetus, including spina bifida.

Other substances that can cause birth defects are the chemicals used in the agricultural and manufacturing industries, as well as heavy metals such as mercury that can contaminate groundwater or air. Diane Paolicelli has dedicated her legal career to fighting against powerful corporations that expose women chemicals and substances that cause harm to their reproductive health and lead to birth defects.

It is crucial to collect as many evidences as you can before filing a lawsuit against the party responsible. This includes any ultrasound images, blood tests, and medical bills that arose because of the birth defect. This will help the attorney determine the worth of the case.

Product Liability

Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting, but anxious experiences of the life of a woman. However, it's also a time where many medical professionals make mistakes that could cause birth defects. A top lawyer can help parents make a claim against those responsible for their child's condition and get the justice they deserve.

While the causes of birth defects are typically unknown to medical experts but a large proportion of birth defects can be linked to exposure to chemicals or environmental factors. This could be due to contact by parents with toxic chemicals in the workplace, such as solvents and glycol ethers used in semiconductor manufacturing and agricultural chemicals used for pesticides and spraying of crops.

In addition, manufacturers and those who prescribe prescription medicines have a responsibility to inform patients of the risks. However, a significant portion of these drugs are marketed off-label to women of childbearing age without proper warnings about the potential for birth defects. This is especially the case with antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft.

Christian Uehlein, a partner at Thornton Law Firm, represents plaintiffs in birth defect lawsuits against pharmaceutical and chemical companies. He focuses his practice on cases involving the development of birth defects that result from parental exposure to toxic chemicals, which includes those used in semiconductor manufacturing and agriculture. He graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. and Suffolk University Law School.