Birth Defect Litigation

Some injuries are out of the parents' control. If injuries that result from these accidents require special medical attention and expensive procedures, it can cause families to be faced with massive costs.

A New York birth defect attorney can assist parents who are in shock to file an action to receive compensation for future expenses. The law has strict time limitations on when a claim may be filed.

Statute of Limitations

Modern technology and medical advances have helped reduce the risks of childbirth and pregnancy. However birth defects and injuries still occur. Families should consider their legal options if they are preventable.

Many birth defect suits are made on the basis of allegations that medical malpractice occurred. These cases may involve errors made by nurses or doctors personnel at any stage of labor, birth and pregnancy. Medical professionals may also be negligent after the birth of a baby in the event that they fail to provide appropriate treatment.

Generally speaking, the time limit for these cases is 2.5 years from the date of the occurrence of medical malpractice. The time limit can be extended for infants. But, it is crucial to seek legal counsel as soon as you can to ensure that all evidence has been collected and that a timely claim can be filed.

In addition to medical malpractice, a suit may also be filed on behalf of an infant for birth defects that result from wrongful toxic and chemical exposures that occur during the mother's pregnancy. Lawyers specially trained in birth defects can investigate and prosecute these claims on behalf of the family.

Parents should think about the following characteristics when choosing an attorney to represent them in a lawsuit for birth injury or defect:

Medical Malpractice

Birth defects can result in a wide range of mental or physical ailments. Some may even be fatal. Certain of these problems could be caused by genetics while others are caused through exposure to the environment or prescription drugs used during pregnancy.

Medical professionals or doctors could be accused of malpractice when they cause lockport birth defect attorney defects by their actions or inaction. Most cases involve medical negligence during labor or delivery. However, they could also comprise any act or failure to act that falls short of a medical standard of care, such as failing to diagnose a problem or prescribing the wrong medication during pregnancy.

One example is involving Teratogens. These drugs can result in serious northlake birth defect lawyer defects. Doctors typically advise women to take this medication during pregnancy. It is used to treat seizures. If a woman who is pregnant is exposed to this medication, she must file a claim.

It is essential to select an attorney with experience in these types of cases. You should choose a firm that has expertise in this area and is based on contingency, meaning that you won't be charged anything until you win. Also, you should look for a lawyer with strong negotiation and communication abilities. This will help to ensure that you file your claim before the statute of limitation expires.

Prescription Drugs

Many birth defects can cause mental or physical disabilities that require costly medical treatment and accommodations for the child. The majority of these problems are inherited, but a few of them are caused by environmental or chemical exposure, or the medications the mother took while pregnant.

Drug manufacturers are required to thoroughly test their products and inform consumers of any risks. Unfortunately, some pharmaceutical companies fail to keep up with the latest research or anticipate possible side effects. In addition, doctors can prescribe dangerous medicines to their patients, and some women do not receive the correct information regarding the risks associated with taking certain medications during pregnancy. These drugs are known as teratogens. They can cause birth defects within the fetus. This includes spina bifida.

Other substances that can cause birth defects are chemicals that are used in manufacturing and agriculture, as well as heavy metals like mercury, which are contaminating the groundwater or the air. Diane Paolicelli's legal career is focused on fighting powerful corporations that expose women to harmful chemicals and substances that can damage their reproductive health or cause birth defects.

When bringing a lawsuit against the parties who are responsible for your child's illness it is crucial to gather as much evidence as you can. Included in this are ultrasound images, blood tests, and medical bills that are incurred as a result. This will help the attorney determine the financial worth of the case.

Product Liability

Pregnancy is one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking times in a woman's life. It's also the time when medical professionals are prone to making mistakes that can lead to birth defects. A top lawyer can help parents to file a claim against the medical professionals accountable for their child's handicap and acquire the justice they deserve.

Medical experts aren't always able of determining the specific cause of birth defects, but the majority of them can be caused by environmental or chemical exposure. This can include exposure by parents to harmful chemicals at work, such as solvents and glycol ethers in semiconductor manufacturing, and agricultural chemicals used in spraying crops and pesticides.

In addition, manufacturers and those who prescribe prescription drugs have a responsibility to inform people of their risks. Yet, a large percentage of these drugs are offered off-label to women who are pregnant age without proper warnings about the potential for east grand forks birth defect attorney defects. This is particularly true for antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft.

Christian Uehlein is a partner with Thornton Law Firm. He represents plaintiffs in birth defect lawsuits against chemical and pharmaceutical companies. He concentrates his practice on cases that involve the occurrence of birth defects caused by exposure of parents to toxic chemicals, such as those in semiconductor manufacturing and agriculture. He graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. and Suffolk University Law School.