Birth Defect Litigation

Parents who discover their child has a birth defect may be entrusted with expensive procedures and needs that they shouldn't have to bear. At LK, our Pittsburgh birth defect lawyers are committed to helping families get justice for their children.

We know that toxic exposures or prescription drugs as well as medical negligence can cause some of these ailments. Learn more about our firm and contact us for a no-cost consultation with an New York birth defect lawyer today.

Medical Malpractice

Birth defects can be devastating for a family, whether they result from negligence or genetics. If a birth defect injury was preventable, parents should seek out a birth defect lawyer to determine if they have a claim against the responsible medical practitioners.

Everyone assumes that doctors and nurses know how to treat diseases, respond to emergencies, and manage diseases. However, they are human, and make mistakes, often with tragic consequences. When the mistakes are connected to birth and pregnancy, they can result in congenital disabilities that dramatically alter a child's life.

Birth defects cases that are caused by medical negligence typically involve the failure to identify the condition or illness that could have been cured and treated. These types of cases are usually caused by medications and treatments taken by the mother during pregnancy, as well as the weeks and months prior to the birth.

Environmental factors can also lead to birth defects. These can be caused by chemical and environmental exposure as well as the use of certain drugs or medications, or the consumption of poor-quality or contaminated foods. These are the subject of many birth defect lawsuits brought against pharmaceutical companies, doctors and hospitals. These lawsuits are based on the idea that manufacturers, pharmacists and physicians have a responsibility to inform pregnant women about the risks associated with certain medication and drugs they use.

Prescription Drugs

A lawsuit could be filed if the birth defect of a child can be traced back to a medication taken by a mother during pregnancy. While the majority of birth defects are inherited, they may be caused by inadequate prenatal treatment or exposure to harmful chemicals.

A lawyer can help determine what medical bills can be covered by compensation, including procedures at the hospital, doctor's visits rehabilitation services, and assistive devices. Parents may also be entitled to compensation if the birth defect is severe.

The pregnancy is a complex time, and many things can be wrong. Certain of these events are preventable. Certain birth defects are the result of the doctor prescribing a medication which increased the likelihood of the baby suffering a birth defect or a mishap during the birth. If you suspect your child's birth defects are due to medical negligence, consult an attorney as soon as possible.

Teratogens are a class of prescription drugs that may cause birth defects for fetuses or newborns. Contact a Boston attorney for dangerous drugs right away should you suspect that the birth defect of your child is due exposure to prescription medications. A legal team with experience can assist you in determining potential responsible parties and obtain you compensation.

Drug Manufacturers

If a mother or child has birth defects that affect bodily function and appearance it is possible to sue the manufacturer of the medication used during pregnancy. The drug manufacturers are required to test their products thoroughly and warn pregnant women about the dangers. The drug Zofran was marketed for pregnant women even though the manufacturer was aware that it could cause serious birth defects. In these instances the pharmaceutical company is held accountable under strict product liability laws.

It is crucial to seek a consultation from an experienced attorney when you begin to suspect that your child's birth defect was caused by medical negligence during pregnancy or delivery. If a parent stalls in filing a legal claim they could be disqualified from filing an action because the statute of limitations has passed.

Birth defects could be a result of environmental factors, genetics and certain medications taken by a pregnant mother. Many of these causes can, however, be avoided. In some cases a serious birth defect can drastically alter a child's life expectancy and it is essential that parents are aware of their legal options. If you have any questions regarding a birth defect lawsuit, speak with an experienced Boston injury lawyer today. You can also fill out a contact form to request an attorney to contact you about your case.

Employers

A variety of causes can result in birth defects. Many are genetic, however others are environmental such as a mother's exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs (teratogens), or chemicals in beauty salons paint factories, cleaning operations, and even the agriculture industry. Birth defects can lead to disabilities and require an entire lifetime of medical care.

While advances in technology have reduced the risks of some medical procedures, medical malpractice can still happen. If a doctor's negligence caused your child to sustain an injury at birth it is possible to claim damages.

If your child has an impairment in their mental health that is sufficient to stop him or her from working at a regular job, you could be eligible for government disability benefits. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer about your situation and the options available for obtaining the highest settlement possible.

In addition to medical expenses and lost income your family could be entitled to compensation for suffering and suffering and loss of consortium, punitive damages as well as other damages related to the birth defect or injury. Our attorneys understand the complexity of these claims and are determined to pursue justice for your family. Please contact our office to schedule a free consultation.