Why You Should Hire a Birth Defect Lawyer

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

A Hyattsville lawyer who is specialized in birth defects could help you claim compensation for the cost of caring for your children with disabilities. A legal claim for birth defects may be complicated, which is why you should seek legal advice immediately.

Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals must follow a set of guidelines when treating pregnant women and their babies. If the actions of a doctor are in violation of this standard and result in a birth defect or injury and/or death, they may be held responsible for damage suffered by their patient. A DC lawyer who is experienced in lawsuits for birth defects will help you determine if your child's illness could be the result of an error in medical care during pregnancy or delivery.

A doctor can also be held accountable for birth injuries if they fail to identify fetal distress, or do not respond appropriately. This can lead to various serious problems, including hypoxic-ischemic neuropathy and brain injuries like cerebral palsy.

The difference between birth defects and birth injury is that defects are a part of a person's genetic make-up and injuries are triggered by an event that occurs during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. These injuries can be caused by issues like Erb's syndrome, which occurs when the nerves that energize and control the arms of a newborn are stretched or ruptured during birth as well as caput succedaneum which is a swelling of the scalp. Both of them can lead to lifelong disability and require ongoing treatment, which can result in hefty medical costs. A Washington, DC lawyer who specializes in birth defects can provide a no-cost consultation to look over your case and determine the most appropriate course for you and your baby.

Prescription Drugs

A birth defect lawyer might be able to assist parents in determining the reason behind a child's birth defect. While many birth defects are caused by genetics and the factors that influence a mother's pregnancy, they can also occur due to medications. Many common medications have a significant effect on fetuses, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. This includes anti-nausea medication such as NSAIDs, chemotherapy medicines such as certain antibiotics and many more. These medications have been linked to an increased risk of limb deformities and heart defects, brain deformities and craniosynostois.

A doctor's job is to be aware of the risks when prescribing medications for pregnant women. If doctors fail to adhere to the standards of care required, they may be liable for medical malpractice. Pharma companies may also be held responsible for not adequately informing mothers of the risks associated with their medications. Zofran, which is used to treat nausea in cancer patients, was found to increase the risk of major defects during the first trimester pregnancies.

A birth defect law firm defect lawyer can assist families receive compensation for future and current medical expenses resulting from the disability or injury, and also loss of earnings and the quality of life. This could include hospital, doctor's pharmaceutical, and other costs, as well as aidive devices and treatments.

Chemical Exposure

A birth defect lawyer can bring an action on behalf of the families of children suffering from congenital disabilities that result from the negligence of businesses that expose pregnant women chemicals or drugs that cause birth defects. These lawyers are specially trained to find out the cause of the birth defect, so they can bring a lawsuit against the companies which expose mothers to teratogens while they work or in their home.

Metals, fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides are among the chemicals that can cause birth defects. These chemicals are called Teratogens since they interfere with the healthy development of the fetus through creating chemical changes that hinder normal cell function or lead to malformed organs. These chemicals are present in various settings, including semiconductor manufacturing, metal cleaning and paint production.

Other hazardous chemicals that could cause birth defects include aliphatic cyaninated hydrocarbons such as perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene or dichloroethane. These chemicals are known to cause cardiac birth defects in babies born to mothers who were exposed during their time in the womb.

Parents have filed lawsuits in order to make companies accountable for the families of soldiers at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina exposed to harmful chemicals. Some of these birth defect lawyers have secured significant settlements for families who had children born with severe defects due to the toxic chemical exposures at the base.

Environmental Exposure

Certain birth defects are caused by the combination of medical negligence and environmental conditions or chemical. If a family suspects that the birth defects of a child could be due to medical negligence, prescription drug overdose, or exposure to harmful chemicals and/or environmental factors, they should talk to an DC birth injury lawyer to discuss their case.

Chemicals and other toxins in the environment can cause serious birth defects when they are inhaled or absorbed by pregnant women. Teratogens are the names given to these substances. More than 4 million chemicals can be found in our air, food and water. Certain of these chemicals can be harmful to pregnant women.

For instance, arsenic in drinking water, and cadmium from coal that has been contaminated can trigger a variety of birth defects and other health issues. Industrial solvents, such as trichloroethylene, toluene, and benzene (a metal degreaser) are also associated with certain birth defects. Glycol ethers that are utilized in the production of semiconductors, silicon chips and video displays, are known to increase the risk of developing birth defects too.

LK's experienced birth defect attorneys have brought many lawsuits on behalf of children who have suffered from a variety of birth defects due to wrongful toxic and chemical exposure at workplaces or at home. These lawsuits involve complex scientific analyses and expert witnesses such as toxicologists and epidemiologists.