Birth Defect Lawsuits

Parents want their children perfect, but that's sometimes not possible. If this happens it is imperative for parents to seek the help of seasoned birth defect lawyers.

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

Medical Malpractice

Medical negligence occurs when a doctor does not adhere to the accepted standards of care in his or her area of expertise. This may include not performing prenatal tests or prescribing drugs which increase the chance of birth defects, or making an error during labor and delivery.

Birth defects and birth injuries are often caused by environmental and genetic causes, but they can also be a result of a doctor's negligence. If a physician fails to detect congenital defects in utero and fails to inform parents they may be legally able to file a case for compensation due to a birth defect for all expenses associated with their disabled child.

A successful medical malpractice claim in birth defect cases requires that the physician owed the patient a duty of care, that the doctor violated this duty, the doctor's actions or inability to act directly led to injuries and damages, and that the victim suffered economic and non-economic damages due to his or her injuries. These damages could include medical expenses, lost wages and emotional distress.

Some birth defects and injuries are preventable by timely testing and monitoring during pregnancy, which is why it's vital for pregnant women follow their doctors' advice regarding prenatal visits. If you suspect that medical negligence caused your child's birth defects, contact a medical malpractice and birth injury attorney immediately.

Toxic Chemicals

Every year thousands of children are born with some kind of birth defect within the United States. These birth defects can be of various severity and impact the way a child acts, looks and functions. Some are minor, while others can cause serious problems that may be fatal.

The causes of birth defects may be due to genetic defects or a variety of chemical and environmental factors. Exposure to toxic chemicals, for instance can trigger serious complications in a newborn. Our firm is determined to hold employers accountable for exposure of pregnant women and their unborn babies to harmful chemicals or medications.

In the scientific literature, it is established that certain chemicals and toxins may traverse the placenta and affect the unborn child. These chemicals are teratogenic. Exposure to these chemicals can cause birth defects, such as cleft lips and palates, spina bifida and muscular dystrophy.

While working, mothers are exposed to a variety of harmful chemicals. They can be inhaled or inhaled through the skin. These chemicals include industrial solvents such as the ethylene glycol-ethers (EGE) used in the production of semiconductors. Parents can be exposed to these poisons when they consume certain prescription and over-the-counter drugs. This is because a lot of pharmaceuticals aren't adequately tested on pregnant women and have been demonstrated to cause birth defects.

Environmental Exposure

Environmental exposure is one of the main causes of birth defects. Genetic disorders are a common cause, but it's far from the only one. The presence of various chemical compounds and toxins in the workplace, at home and in food can increase the risk of developing birth defects. These include pesticides, fungicides and lead, as well as heavy metals, some paints and many other chemical compounds. Exposure to toxic substances is almost always inevitable. When companies fail to protect their pregnant employees, it is negligence and they can be held accountable.

Researchers are still unable determine exactly what causes a specific birth defect. It is possible that an interaction between a variety of factors could cause 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 enrol 100,000 women from diverse populations and follow them and their children for the long run. This study will provide comprehensive information about the effects of environmental factors on the health of children and fetuses.

Many parents who have a birth defect in their child are resentful because they believe they caused it. But, these problems are not always preventable. Our birth defect lawyers know this and are dedicated to helping families seek justice for children suffering from birth defects.

Product Liability

Birth defects can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from drug or alcohol consumption during pregnancy to genes. Fortunately, most of these causes are preventable. If your child was born with a medical issue which could have been prevented and you are entitled to claim damages in an action for birth defects.

A New York birth defect lawyer can help you determine whether your child's illness was caused by a medication, chemical exposure or other environmental trigger that could be eligible for compensation. Depending on the severity of your child's condition your legal counsel will also be able to calculate the full cost of the associated medical expenses that are eligible for compensation.

Although the majority of birth defects aren't caused due to medical negligence, there are cases where a healthcare professional has been negligent prior to or during labor and birth. A doctor might incorrectly prescribe a medication which harms the baby before it is born, or make an error during surgery.

Our birth defect attorneys have successfully defended cases where a mother's health medical professional was exposed to toxic chemicals or prescription drugs which increased the chances that she will give birth to a child who has birth defects. We have also filed birth defect lawsuits against paint factories and birth defect law firm semiconductor producers that expose their workers to hazardous substances during their work.