Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

If your child is born with a birth deformity, it can have a devastating effect on you and your entire family. The cost of therapy, medical bills and other expenses can quickly become a burden.

A Hyattsville lawyer with a specialization in birth defect lawsuits (Link Home Page) defects could assist to file a claim for compensation for the costs of taking care of your disabled children. Legal claims for birth defects are complex and therefore it is crucial to seek legal advice immediately.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals are required to adhere to a certain standard when treating pregnant women or their infants. If a doctor's actions are in violation of this standard and cause birth defect or injury or injury, they could be held accountable for birth defect lawsuits injuries suffered by their patient. A DC lawyer with expertise in lawsuits involving birth defects can assist you in determining the cause of your child's illness. caused by a medical mistake during pregnancy or during delivery.

A doctor could also be the cause of an injury to the fetus if they fail to identify or adequately respond to fetal distress. This can cause a number serious problems including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and brain injuries such as cerebral palsy.

The distinction between birth defects and birth injury is that defects are a part of a person's genetic make-up however, injuries are caused by an event that occurs during pregnancy, labor, or the birth. Injuries can be caused by Erb's palsy where the nerves that control the infant's arms and birth defect lawsuits legs are stretched or torn. Another form of injury is caput succedaneum - a swelling on the scalp. Both can lead to a lifelong disability, and ongoing treatment will cost a lot of money. A Washington, DC lawyer who is skilled in birth defects can offer a free consultation in order to review your case, and determine the best course of action for you and your baby.

Prescription Drugs

A birth defect lawyer may be able to help parents identify the root of a child's birth injury, or defect. Many birth defects result from birth defects or genetics. However, certain medications can also cause birth defects. Many common medications can have a negative impact on fetuses. This is especially evident in the initial three months of pregnancy. These include anti-nausea drugs, NSAIDs, chemotherapy drugs such as certain antibiotics and more. These medications have been proven to increase the risk of developing limb and heart defects, brain deformities and craniosynostois.

It is the professional responsibility of doctors to be aware of the potential risks when prescribing medications for pregnant women. If doctors fail to adhere to this standard of care, then they could be held accountable for negligence. Pharma companies could also be held responsible for not properly informing mothers about the risks associated with their medication. For instance, Zofran, a medication used to treat nausea in cancer patients, has been demonstrated to significantly increase the risk of congenital defects that are major in first trimester pregnancies.

A birth defect attorney can assist a family in obtaining compensation for medical expenses, loss of income and quality of living. This could include hospital expenses physician's fees, pharmaceutical costs and other expenses as well as assistive devices and therapy.

Chemical Exposure

A birth defect lawyer could bring a lawsuit for families of children who have congenital disabilities because due to the negligence of corporations exposing pregnant women to chemicals and drugs that cause birth deformities. They are trained to determine the reason for birth defects, so that they can bring a suit against companies that expose pregnant women to teratogens either at workplace or at home.

Metals, fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides are just a few of the chemicals that can cause birth defects. They are referred to as Teratogens as they interfere with the development of the fetus by causing chemical changes that prevent normal cell function, or can cause organs that are not properly formed. These chemicals can be found in diverse settings like manufacturing of semiconductors, cleaning of metals and paint production.

Other chemicals that may cause birth defects are hydrocarbons with aliphatic properties, like dichloroethane and trichloroethylene perchloroethylene. These chemicals have been proven to cause cardiac birth defects in babies born to mothers who were exposed while they were in the womb.

Parents have filed lawsuits to expose companies to liability for the families of soldiers who live at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to harmful chemicals. Some of these birth defects lawyers have secured substantial settlements for families that had children born with severe defects due to the exposure to toxic chemicals on the base.

Environmental Exposure

Some birth defects are caused by the combination of medical negligence and environmental factors or chemicals. If a family suspects that their child's birth defect may be a result of medical malpractice, prescription drug overdose or exposure to toxic chemicals, they should speak with an DC birth injury lawyer to discuss the matter.

If pregnant women ingest or absorb contaminants from the environment, they can cause serious birth defects. These substances are known as Teratogens. More than 4 million chemicals are found in our food, air and water and a few could be harmful if they come into contact with pregnant women.

Arsenic in drinking water or cadmium from coal that is contaminated for instance, could cause birth defects and other health issues. Certain birth defects can also be linked to industrial solvents like benzene (a metal degreaser) and toluene (a solvent for plastics) and trichloroethylene. Glycol ethers that are used in the production of semiconductors, silicon chips and video displays, are well-known to increase the chance of having birth defects too.

LK's highly experienced birth defect lawyers have filed numerous lawsuits on behalf of children who suffered from a variety of birth defects due to wrongful toxic and chemical exposure at workplaces or in their homes. These lawsuits involve complex scientific analyses and expert witnesses such as toxicologists and epidemiologists.