birth defect law firm Defect Lawyers

Parents can be overwhelmed by medical bills when a baby is sick at birth. If your child has a birth defect caused by medical negligence or exposure to certain drugs, you may be entitled to compensation.

A Hudson, NY birth defects lawyer can assist you in pursuing justice.

Birth Defects: Causes

Some birth defects are caused due to changes in the genes or chromosomes. These issues can be passed down from parents with these defects, or they can result from a new mutation in an ovum that has been fertilized. These problems can impact how the body develops or how the body functions. These genetic problems could be minor or even serious.

There are also birth defects that are caused by environmental factors during the fetal stage. Chemicals and toxins, such as those in industrial solvents (such as benzene) or trichloroethylene, which is used in dry cleaning, and perchloroethylene (used in metal degreasing and painting) can cause birth defects. There is also exposure to lead, arsenic, mercury or other heavy metals used in the production of goods or in power plants. These harmful substances are referred to as teratogens and may cause serious harm to the developing baby.

A medical professional may cause a birth defect through negligence, such as failing to diagnose or treat the mother's health issues during pregnancy or after the baby is born. A doctor may be negligent if prescribes a medication that could cause birth defects or negligently administers a medicine. Medical malpractice lawsuits may be brought against the doctor responsible for the error. A birth injury lawsuit may also be filed against an employer if they expose a pregnant employee to harmful substances.

Medical Malpractice

Birth defects are structural changes to the body that can negatively affect its appearance or function. According to the CDC they can affect any body part or organ.

Parents often want to understand the causes of birth defects. Medical negligence or exposure to teratogen-related chemicals are the most commonly cited causes. An experienced birth defect lawyer can help families investigate these causes of birth defects and file a lawsuit against those responsible.

In the majority of cases, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases involving birth injury is just one year. This means that parents have to act swiftly after identifying an anomaly in the birth and linking it to the underlying cause of the injury. The collection of receipts, bills, and credit card payment records, along with other evidence, can help you support your claim for compensation.

While it would be nice to have more time taking the shock of finding out that a child is born with a birth injury or defect however, this is not an option for filing an official case. This is why it is essential to partner with a skilled birth defect lawyer and a birth injury lawyer who will handle all the previous steps in a timely manner.

Product Liability

Modern technology and medical advances have greatly reduced the risks associated with birth. Birth defects and injuries are still possible. If your child suffered an injury due to the negligence or inattention of a medical professional during labor, pregnancy and birth, you could be legally entitled to financial compensation to help cover your losses.

A birth defect lawyer from Levy Knigsberg LLP can help you determine whether or not you're eligible to file a lawsuit against the doctor, hospital, or other parties responsible. Our team is equipped with the knowledge and resources to defend your rights, including the services of specialized medical and scientific experts to determine and connect your child's condition with chemical exposure or other environmental factors.

Birth defects can vary in severity and impact the child's life expectancy, appearance, and quality of life. If your child's illness was the result of medical malpractice, or by exposure to prescription medications or toxic chemicals, or environmental factors, our firm will provide you with professional advice and advice on the benefits of a claim. Contact us today to begin the process of recovering compensation for your injuries. We can review your case free of cost and without obligation. We only get paid if we are successful in your case or settle it.

Toxic Exposure

In the course of their work or their environment, many people are exposed to harmful substances every day. Unfortunately certain chemicals have been found to cause birth defects (teratogens) and can cause harm to babies. Parents who believe that their child is suffering from an issue with birth due to exposure to chemicals might be eligible for compensation.

Exposure to chemicals during pregnancy is one of the leading causes of birth defects. Certain chemicals include toxic solvents, such as those used in the industry of manufacturing semiconductors, are known to cause a range of birth defects in children who are not yet born. Our firm has successfully fought many cases against the largest corporations worldwide in these cases, resulting in billions in settlement agreements.

It is widely known that exposure to organic solvents, such as trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene and toluene (TCE), as well benzene and Vinyl Chloride at Camp Lejeune can increase the likelihood of developing childhood cancers including hematopoietic and birth defects. Additionally, prescription medicines such as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) have been proven to be linked with a variety of birth defects.

Victoria Phillips is a partner at Phillips & Paolicelli, focusing on the complexities of product liability litigation and birth defect lawsuits against corporations who cause distress and suffering of families who's lives have been ruined by their negligence. She graduated magna cumlaude from Williams College and Columbia Law School and is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey.