It's The Evolution Of Birth Defect Litigation

Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer If your child was born with a birth defect it could be devastating for you and your family. Medical bills, therapy costs and other expenses can quickly add up. A Hyattsville lawyer who is specialized in birth defects may be able to help you file for compensation to cover the costs of caring for your disabled children. Legal claims for birth defects are complex, so it is important to seek legal advice immediately. Medical Malpractice Medical professionals must follow a set of guidelines when treating pregnant women and their babies. If a doctor's actions are not in line with this standard and cause an injury or birth defect or injury, they could be held liable for the harms suffered by their patient. A DC lawyer with expertise in lawsuits involving birth defects can determine whether your child's condition was caused by a medical mistake during pregnancy or during delivery. A doctor could be held accountable for birth injuries if they fail detect fetal distress or do not respond appropriately. This can lead to numerous serious issues, including hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and hypoxic encephalopathy such as cerebral palsy. The distinction between birth defects and birth injury is that defects are part of a person's genetic make-up however, injuries are caused by something occurring during pregnancy, labor, or birth. The causes of injuries include issues like Erb's syndrome, which occurs when the nerves that stimulate and control the infant's arms are stretched or torn during birth and the caput succedaneum is a swelling of the scalp. Both can result in permanent disability, and ongoing treatment will cost a great deal of money. A Washington, DC birth defect lawyer will provide a no-cost initial consultation to analyze your case and determine the most appropriate option for you and your child. Prescription Drugs A birth defect lawyer could be able to help parents identify the cause of the birth injury or defect. While many birth defects are caused by the genetics of a mother's pregnancy however, they can also be caused as a result of medications. A variety of commonly used medications can have a negative impact on fetuses. This is particularly true in the first three months of pregnancy. These include anti-nausea medications such as NSAIDs, chemotherapy medicines such as certain antibiotics and more. These medications have been proven to increase the risk of developing limb and brain defects, heart defects and craniosynostois. A doctor's responsibility is to take into consideration these risks when prescribing medication for pregnant women. If doctors do not follow this standard of care, then they may be held liable for malpractice. Pharma companies may also be held responsible for not adequately informing mothers of the risks associated with their medications. For example, Zofran, a medication used to treat nausea in cancer patients, has been found to significantly increase the risk of serious congenital defects during the first trimester of pregnancy. A birth defect attorney can assist a family to obtain compensation for medical expenses, loss of income and quality of life. This could include hospital costs physician's fees, pharmaceutical costs, and other expenses, as well as assistive devices and therapy. Chemical Exposure A birth defect lawyer can file a lawsuit on behalf families of children with congenital disabilities resulting from the negligence of companies that expose pregnant women chemicals or drugs that cause birth defects. These lawyers are specially trained to determine the cause of birth defects so they can file a lawsuit against companies that expose pregnant women to teratogens either at workplace or at home. Some of the chemical exposures that contribute to birth defects are the use of fungicides and metals as well as herbicides and other pesticides. These chemicals are called teratogens due to the fact that they affect the healthy development a embryo through chemical changes that can cause abnormal organs or prevent normal cell function. These chemicals are found in diverse settings like manufacturing of semiconductors, metal cleaning and paint production. Other chemicals that can cause birth defects include hydrocarbons with aliphatic properties, like dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, or perchloroethylene. These chemicals are known to cause birth defects in the heart in babies born to mothers exposed during their time in the womb. Parents have filed lawsuits against a variety of companies involved in exposing the families of soldiers at Camp Lejeune to these harmful chemicals. Some of these birth defect lawyers have won substantial settlements for families whose children were born with severe birth defects due to the exposure to toxic chemicals on the base. Environmental Exposure Some birth defects are caused by an unintended medical error and environmental conditions or chemical. If birth defect attorneys minneapolis believes that the birth defect in their child could result from medical malpractice, prescription drug overdose or exposure to harmful chemicals, they should speak with a DC birth injury lawyer to discuss the matter. If pregnant women consume or absorb contaminants from the surrounding environment and then develop birth defects. Teratogens is the name given to these chemicals. More than 4 million chemicals exist in our air, food and water and some could be harmful if they come into contact with pregnant women. For example, arsenic in drinking water as well as cadmium derived from coal that has been contaminated can trigger various birth defects and health issues. Industrial solvents, such as benzene toluene and trichloroethylene (a metal degreaser) are also associated with certain birth defects. Glycol-ethers also increase the likelihood of birth defects occurring in women. These chemicals are used to manufacture semiconductors, silicon chip displays and video displays. The experienced birth defect attorneys at LK have brought many lawsuits on behalf of children who suffer from a variety of birth defects as a result of the wrongful exposure to chemicals and toxic substances at workplaces or at home. These lawsuits involve complicated scientific analyses and expert witnesses, such as toxicologists and epidemiologists.