Birth Defect Lawsuits

While advances in medicine have dramatically reduced the risks associated with pregnancies, many birth defects and injuries are the result of negligence. For example, whether it was due to chemical exposure at work or incorrectly prescribed medications, parents who are shocked often have an opportunity to pursue compensation.

Many states have a statute of limitations of only one year. Therefore, contacting an attorney earlier rather than later is crucial. An experienced attorney can guide clients and help them assess the monetary worth of their case.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice claims can be filed at any time during the pregnancy, labor, or the birth process. If a doctor fails meet the accepted standard of care, and this inability causes birth defects or injury they could be held accountable for a medical malpractice claim.

Doctors are responsible for evaluating an expectant mother's current medications and taking into consideration any health issues she might suffer from, and informing the mother of possible dangers to her unborn child. If a doctor fails to fulfill their duties and causes harm can be held accountable for medical negligence.

A birth defect lawyer can assist you in determining if a claim of medical malpractice is justified and guide you through the legal process. Medical malpractice claims are an extremely sensitive issue, which is why you'll need an experienced lawyer you can trust.

The earlier you begin, the better. A qualified birth defect lawyer can assist you in filing the claim before your state's statute of limitations runs out. Most states offer only one year to make a claim for medical malpractice, and it requires time to handle an extremely serious case. You require a lawyer who is able to quickly collect the required documents and gather evidence for your case. This is particularly important when you believe that your baby was injured due to negligence on the part of a medical professional. The earlier you file a lawsuit the more evidence you will have to back up your claim.

Environmental Causes

Although birth defects that are genetic account for a significant percentage of all cases, environmental causes can also have a hand in. These causes are not well understood to scientists and could include exposure of mothers to harmful chemicals or substances at work or home. These chemicals, including solvents paint thinners, solvents processing materials, cleaning chemicals and certain metal alloys may increase the chance of having a child develop birth defects. These types of exposures are the basis of birth defect lawsuits filed by LK's attorneys on behalf of clients working in beauty salons, paint factories and semiconductor manufacturing facilities, as well as other industries.

The majority of severe birth defects are caused by environmental or genetic factors. These causes cannot be prevented by lifestyle choices or medical treatments. Finding the antecedents to a particular birth defect remains an intractable challenge for medical professionals and scientists. Only by educating women and encouraging them to be more cautious about their choices regarding food, drugs and lifestyle can we reduce the number of birth defects.

A medical malpractice lawsuit that involves an inherited defect is different from the typical personal injury lawsuit in that it requires a thorough understanding of both legal and medical issues. Our birth defect attorneys defect lawyers are familiar with the complicated nature of these cases, and will fight to secure the compensation you are due.

Drugs

Pregnancy-related medications can cause birth defects, that can result in facial and limb abnormalities, eye disorders and spinal cord problems, and other conditions. If the drug causes a birth defect, families can sue the drug manufacturer in a lawsuit for product liability.

Birth defects can also be caused from exposure to prescription drugs or toxic chemicals, as well as other environmental factors during the first three months of life, which is an important time for development. If your child has an anomaly in the birth that could be caused by medication, a birth defect lawyer can advise you about your legal options.

Manufacturers of drugs are required to test their products thoroughly prior giving them to the general public. They also have to provide warnings regarding possible adverse reactions. If a manufacturer is found to be selling products that cause serious birth defects, parents can seek compensation in a lawsuit with the help of a birth defect attorney.

Certain types of medicines can cause birth defects, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), lithium, angiotensin II antagonists, and cancer drugs like thalidomide or diethylstilbestrol. The medical negligence lawyers at LK have recovered billions of dollars for families whose children were injured by these and other drugs. The firm has also litigated a number of cases where children were injured due to toxic chemicals at work or environmental pollution.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting and anxiety-inducing experiences a woman will experience in her life. If something goes wrong, the consequences could be severe. Birth defects of grave concern could affect the brain, heart or limbs, as well as the overall body function. This can limit the child's lifespan and cause a lot of pain for their parents.

While certain birth defects are genetic, other may be caused by carelessness of medical practitioners and hospital staff. This can include prescribing medication which can cause birth defects, or administering the wrong dose. It could be as simple as not being able to monitor the fetus's health or exposing the mother to harmful chemicals during her pregnancy.

A New York birth injury attorney should be contacted as soon as possible by any parent who believes that the birth defect or injury suffered by their child is a result of medical negligence. A lawyer can assist in determining the best course to take and the amount of compensation a parent is entitled to.

Birth defects can result from medical malpractice, drug abuse, environmental factors, or a combination. Finz & Finz, the expert New York birth defects lawyers on Long Island and New York City can help if your child's condition is due to negligence of another. Call us toll-free now for a no-cost case strategy session.