Birth Defect Lawsuits

Although medical advances have drastically reduced the risks associated with pregnancy, many birth injuries and birth defects are the result of negligence. Parents who have lost their children due to chemical exposure at work or improperly prescribed drugs can often seek compensation.

In many states, the statute of limitations is just one year. Therefore, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can guide clients and help them assess the financial worth of their case.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice claims could arise at any stage of pregnancy, labor or delivery. Medical malpractice claims can be filed if a physician is not practicing the accepted standard of practice and this failure causes birth defects or injuries.

Doctors must assess an expecting mother's current medications and consider any health concerns she might have. They should also inform her of dangers for her upcoming baby. If a doctor does not fulfill these obligations and causes harm, they could be held accountable for medical malpractice.

A birth defect lawyer can help you determine if a claim of medical malpractice is appropriate and assist you with the legal process. A medical malpractice claim is a sensitive matter, so you'll need an experienced lawyer you can trust.

The sooner you start the sooner you can begin. A competent birth defect lawyer will assist you in filing the claim before your state's statutes of limitations expire. Most states only give you one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice, and it requires time to deal with such an event that is devastating. You need an attorney who is able to act quickly to gather the evidence and birth defect lawyer records you need for your case. This is particularly true in the event that your child suffered an injury as a result of negligence on the part of a doctor, since the faster you take legal action the more evidence you'll have to prove your case.

Environmental Causes

Although genetic causes of birth defects make up a large portion of all cases, environmental causes can also have a hand in. These causes aren't always understood by scientists however, they could include the mother's exposure at home or at work to toxic chemicals. Solvents, paint thinners and engraving materials, along with cleaning fluids and metal alloys may increase the risk of a child developing birth defects. These types of exposures have served as the basis of birth defect lawsuits filed by the attorneys of LK's on behalf of clients working in beauty salons, paint factories and semiconductor manufacturing plants, in addition to other industries.

Sadly, most cases of severe birth defects stem from environmental or genetic factors that cannot be prevented by lifestyle choices or medical treatment. Scientists and physicians still have a difficult time determining the cause of a specific birth defect. The only way of reducing the amount of birth defects is to educate women who are expecting and assist them in being cautious about their choices of food and medications as well as lifestyle choices.

A medical malpractice case that involves a birth defect is different from a standard personal injury suit in that a birth defect lawsuit requires a thorough understanding of both medical and legal issues. Our birth defect lawyers are familiar with the complicated nature of these cases, and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Drugs

Pregnancy-related medications can lead to birth defects. These include limb and face abnormalities or eye problems, brain and spinal cord disorders, among other issues. If a child develops a birth defect because of medication, the family could have an action against the drug manufacturer in a lawsuit based on product liability.

A birth defect may be caused due to exposure to prescription medications and toxic chemicals as well as other environmental factors during the first three months of pregnancy, a critical period for development. If your child is suffering from a birth defect that may be the result of medications, a birth defect lawyer can assist you with your legal options.

Manufacturers of drugs are required to test their products thoroughly before giving them to the general public. They also must provide information on possible negative side effects. A birth defect lawyer can aid parents who are suing an pharmaceutical company for selling drugs that cause birth defects.

Different types of medications can cause birth defects which include non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), lithium, angiotensin II antagonists, and cancer treatments like thalidomide or diethylstilbestrol. The lawyers from LK's medical negligence department have won billions for families whose children suffered injuries as a result of the usage of these and other pharmaceutical drugs. The firm has also brought cases where children suffered from exposure to toxic chemicals at work, or to environmental pollutants.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is among the most exciting and stressful moments in a woman's life. However, if something goes wrong during this time, the effects can be devastating. Birth defects of grave concern could affect the child's brain, heart and limbs, or even the general body functioning. This can affect the expected lifespan of a child and cause immense suffering for their parents.

While some birth defects are genetic, other are caused by mistakes of medical professionals and hospital staff. This could include prescribing medications that could cause birth defects or the wrong dose. It could be as simple as a failure to monitor the health of the fetus and expose the mother to harmful chemicals while she is pregnant.

A New York birth injury attorney should be contacted as soon as possible by any parent who believes that the birth defect or birth defect lawyer injury suffered by their child is due to medical negligence. A lawyer can to assist parents in determining the best way to proceed and the amount of compensation they may be entitled to.

Birth defects are often a tragic result of medical malpractice chemical exposure, environmental causes or a combination. The experienced New York birth defect lawyers at Finz & Finz on Long Island and in New York City can help in the event that you believe your child's illness was caused by the negligence of another. Call today toll-free for a no-cost consultation.