Birth Defect Lawsuits

Parents wish their children to be perfect, but in some cases that's not possible. If this happens it is vital that parents in shock seek the help of experienced birth defect lawyers.

Birth problems and injuries can be caused by medical malpractice, drugs that are dangerous and exposure to environmental factors. A New York birth defect law firm can help you get answers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical negligence occurs when a doctor does not adhere to the accepted standards of medical care in their area of expertise. It could be a failure to perform routine prenatal tests, prescribing medication that increases the likelihood of a birth defect or making a misstep during labor and delivery.

Birth defects and birth injury are usually the result of genetic and environmental factors, but they can also be a result of a doctor's negligence. For instance, if a physician does not recognize an inborn disability and fails to notify parents of this disability, the parents may pursue a wrongful birth lawsuit seeking compensation for the ongoing costs associated with the disabled child.

A successful medical malpractice claim in birth defect cases requires that the doctor owed the patient a duty of care, that the doctor violated this duty, the doctor's actions or failure to act directly led to injuries and damages and that the victim suffered economic and non-economic damages due to the injuries. These damages could include expenses of medical bills, lost wages as well as pain and suffering and emotional distress.

Prenatal visits are necessary to ensure that pregnant women receive the necessary testing and monitoring. If you suspect that medical malpractice caused your child's birth defects Contact a medical negligence and birth injury lawyer immediately.

Toxic Chemicals

In the United States, thousands of babies are born every year with birth defects. These defects vary in severity and impact manner in which a child looks and behaves throughout life. Some are minor, whereas others can cause serious issues and even lead to death.

The causes of birth defects could be due to genetic defects or a variety of chemical and environmental factors. For example, exposure to toxic chemicals can cause serious problems for a newborn. Our firm is determined to hold employers accountable for exposed pregnant women and their newborn babies to harmful substances or drugs.

In scientific literature, it has been established that certain chemicals and toxins may cross the placenta to affect an unborn child. These toxins are called teratogenic. The exposure to these teratogenic chemicals may cause birth defects like cleft lips and palates as well as spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy.

While working, mothers are exposed a variety of toxic chemicals. They can be inhaled, ingested or simply absorbed through the skin. These chemicals include industrial solvents like ethylene glycol ethers (EGE), which are used in the manufacturing of semiconductors. Parents can also be exposed to these toxins when they are consuming certain over-the-counter and prescription drugs. A lot of pharmaceuticals haven't been properly tested on pregnant woman and have resulted in birth defects.

Environmental Exposure

Environmental exposure is one of the main causes of birth defects. Genetic disorders are a common cause, but it's far from the only one. The presence of a variety of chemical compounds and toxins in the home, at work and in food items can increase the risk of developing birth defects. Pesticides and fungicides are among the most frequent. Heavy metals, paints heavy pigments, certain chemicals are also included. Exposure to toxic substances is nearly always inevitable. But, when businesses do not take precautions to protect pregnant employees, they're negligent and could be held accountable.

Researchers are still unable determine exactly what causes the specific birth defect. It is possible that a combination of factors could cause the condition. The next step is to assess these interactions in real-time. This is why the National Children's Study, now beginning to be conducted in various states, is so crucial. The NCS will enroll 100,000 women from representative populations and will follow them and their children for the long-term. This study will provide the most comprehensive data to date about how various environmental factors influence fetal and child health.

Many parents who have a birth defect in their child feel guilty because they believe they were responsible for the defect. However, these defects are not always preventable. Our birth defect lawyers recognize this and are committed to families seeking justice for children who suffer from birth defects.

Product Liability

Birth problems are caused by a variety of factors, ranging from drug or alcohol consumption during pregnancy to genetic. However, many of these causes can be prevented. If your child was diagnosed with a medical condition that could have been avoided or prevented, you might be able to get compensation in a lawsuit involving birth defects.

A New York birth defect attorney can assist you to determine if your child's illness is caused by an underlying chemical, medication or environmental exposure that qualifies for compensation. Your legal team can estimate the total cost of medical bills associated with your child's condition based on the severity.

Although the majority of birth defects aren't caused by medical negligence, there are instances in which a doctor or healthcare worker has been negligent prior to or during labor and delivery. A doctor could prescribe a medicine incorrectly, which can harm a baby before birth, or make an error in surgery.

Our birth defect lawyers have successfully pursued lawsuits against drug companies where a mother's health healthcare provider has been exposed to prescription medications or toxic chemicals that increase the chances of her having a child with birth defect. We have also filed birth defect lawsuits against semiconductor manufacturers and paint factories that expose their workers hazardous substances when they work.