Birth Defect Lawsuits
Parents want their children to be perfect but sometimes it's impossible. When that becomes a reality it is crucial for parents to seek out the assistance of skilled birth defect lawyers.
Medical malpractice, dangerous drugs and exposure to environmental hazards can lead to serious birth defects and injuries. A New York
birth defect law firm can provide 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 failing to perform prenatal screening and prescribing medicines that increase the likelihood of birth defects or committing an error during labor and delivery.
Birth defects and
birth defect law firm birth injuries are typically the result of genetic and environmental causes, but sometimes they are caused by the negligence or malpractice of a doctor. For instance when a doctor does not recognize a congenital disorder in the uterus and fails to inform the parents of this impairment, parents can pursue a wrongful birth lawsuit seeking compensation for the lifelong expenses associated with the disabled child.
To prevail in a medical malpractice case in birth defects the plaintiff has to prove that the doctor owed a duty of duty to the patient, and that he did not fulfill this duty, that his actions or inaction action directly led to damage and injuries, and that the patient was a victim of economic and non-economic damages from the injuries. These damages could include medical bills as well as lost wages and emotional distress.
Prenatal visits are necessary to ensure that pregnant women receive the required testing and monitoring. If you suspect that the birth defect of your child is due to medical malpractice, contact an experienced medical malpractice and birth injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Toxic Chemicals
Every year, thousands of children are born with some type of
birth defect in the United States. These defects can vary in severity and affect way that a child appears and behaves throughout life. Some are minor, while others can cause serious issues and can even be fatal.
Birth birth defects can be caused by genetic disorders or a variety of chemcial or environmental factors. Exposure to toxic chemicals, for example, can cause serious complications in the newborn. Our firm is committed in bringing employers to account when they expose pregnant mothers or their unborn babies to harmful substances or
birth defect law firm medications.
In scientific research, it is known that certain chemicals and toxins may traverse the placenta to affect an unborn baby. These chemicals are teratogenic. Exposure to these teratogenic chemicals can cause birth defects, such as the cleft lip and palate as well as spina Bifida and muscular dystrophy.
Many mothers are exposed to a wide variety of harmful chemicals when they are working. They can be ingested or inhaled, or absorbed by the skin of the body. These chemicals include industrial solvants such as ethylene glycol ethers (EGE) which are used in the manufacture of semiconductors. These chemicals can also be consumed by parents when they take certain prescription and over-the-counter drugs. This is due to the fact that many drugs have not been adequately tested on pregnant women and have been proven to cause birth defects.
Environmental Exposure
While genetic disorders are one of the most frequently cited causes of birth defects, environmental exposure is also a major factor. A variety of toxins and chemicals found in the home workplace, food and work environment could increase the chances of a birth defect. This includes fungicides, pesticides and lead, as well as heavy metals, some paints and other chemical compounds. Exposure to toxic substances is almost always inevitable. However, when employers do not take precautions to protect pregnant employees, they're negligent and may be held responsible.
Researchers aren't able to pin down exactly what causes the specific birth defect. It could be that an interaction with multiple factors could trigger the condition, but the challenge is evaluating the interactions in real-time. This is why the National Children's Study, now underway in a variety of states, is so important. The NCS will enrol 100,000 women from a variety of populations and follow them and their children for the course of time. This study will provide the most comprehensive data to date about how different environmental factors impact fetal as well as child health.
Many parents who have a birth defect in their child feel guilt, believing that they contributed to it. However, these birth defects are often unavoidable. Our birth defect attorneys are aware of this and are dedicated in helping families whose children are born with birth defects.
Product Liability
Birth problems can be caused by a variety of causes, ranging from drugs or alcohol use during pregnancy to genes. Fortunately, many of these causes are preventable. If your child was diagnosed with a medical condition which could have been avoided, you may be able to get compensation in a lawsuit involving birth defects.
A New York birth defect lawyer will be able to assist you determine if your child's condition is the result of chemical exposure, a medication or another environmental trigger that is eligible for compensation. Depending on the severity of your child's health condition your legal team will be able to estimate the full cost of the associated medical bills that are suitable for compensation.
While the vast majority of birth defects are not caused by medical negligence, there are cases where a healthcare worker was negligent before or during labor and delivery. A doctor could prescribe a medication incorrectly that could harm a baby, even before birth, or make an error during surgery.
Our birth defect lawyers have successfully brought lawsuits against drug companies in which a mother's health care provider has been exposed to prescription medications or toxic chemicals that can increase the risk of her child developing a birth defect. We have also brought birth defect lawsuits against companies that expose workers to harmful substances on the job like a paint factory or semiconductor manufacturing company.
