Birth Defect Lawyers

When a baby is born with a serious medical condition parents could end up covered in medical expenses. If you believe that the birth defect of your child was caused by medical negligence or exposure to certain medications, then you could be entitled to compensation.

A Hudson, NY birth defects lawyer can help you pursue justice.

Causes of Birth Defects

Certain birth defects are caused by changes in the genes or chromosomes. These issues can be passed down from parents with these disorders or result from mutations in fertilized eggs. These issues may affect the way the body functions or is formed. These genetic issues may be either minor or severe.

There are also birth defects caused by things in the environment during the fetal stage. Chemicals and toxins, like the ones found in industrial solvents (such as benzene), trichloroethylene used in dry cleaning, as well as perchloroethylene which is used in painting and metal degreasing) can cause birth defects. There is also exposure to lead, arsenic, mercury, or other heavy metals used in manufacturing or at power plants. These harmful substances, called teratogens cause serious harm to a developing baby.

A medical professional can cause a Birth defect lawsuit defect through incompetence, for example, failing to diagnose or treat the mother's health condition during pregnancy or after the baby is born. A doctor could be negligent if prescribes medication that could cause a birth defect, or negligently administers a medicine. Medical malpractice claims can be brought against the physician responsible for the error. A birth injury lawsuit can also be brought against a company that puts a pregnant worker in a situation where they are exposed to toxic substances.

Medical Malpractice

Birth defects are structural changes to the body that have an adverse impact on the way it functions or appears. These conditions can be severe and can affect any part of the body according to the CDC.

When a child is born with a birth defect parents are often interested in knowing what caused the condition. Medical negligence or exposure to teratogen-related chemicals are the most common causes. An experienced birth defect lawyer can assist families find the cause of birth defects and make a claim against those responsible.

Medical malpractice cases involving birth injuries usually have a limitation period of only 1 year. Parents must act swiftly once they find an anomaly in the birth, and then connect it with the injury. This includes gathering invoices, receipts, payments made to credit cards and other evidence to back the claim for compensation.

While it would be ideal to have more time for grieving the traumatic experience of learning that a child is born with a birth injury or defect however, this is not an available option when filing an official case. It is important to partner with an experienced birth defect lawyer who can handle all of the steps before in a timely fashion.

Product Liability

Modern technology and medical advancements have greatly reduced the risks associated with childbirth. However, birth defects and injuries are still possible. If your child sustained an injury as a result of the negligence or carelessness of medical professionals during labor, pregnancy or birth, you could be legally entitled to financial compensation to compensate your loss.

A birth defect lawyer from Levy Knigsberg LLP can help you determine whether or not you have grounds for a lawsuit against the doctor, hospital, and other parties responsible. Our team has the expertise and resources to protect your rights. This includes the services of scientific and medical experts who are able to identify and connect the medical condition of your child to exposure to chemicals.

Birth defects can vary in severity and can affect the appearance of a child's face, quality of life, as well as their expected longevity. Our firm can provide professional guidance and information on the merits of a claim in the event that your child's illness is a result of medical negligence, prescription medications or exposure to toxic chemicals or environmental causes. Contact us today to start the process of obtaining compensation for your losses. We will review your case without charge or obligation. We only get paid if we are successful in your case or settle it.

Toxic Exposure

As part of their job or in their surroundings, many people are exposed daily to toxins day. Unfortunately certain chemicals have been found to cause birth defects (teratogens) and may cause harm to babies. Parents who believe their child is suffering from a birth defect related to exposure to chemicals could be qualified for compensation.

One of the most prevalent birth defects that can be caused by chemical exposure during pregnancy. Certain of these substances such as toxic solvents that are used in the industry of manufacturing semiconductors have been proven to cause a variety of birth defects in newborn children. Our firm has handled several cases against the biggest companies in the world in these matters, resulting in billions in settlement agreements.

In the utero period, exposure to organic solvents such as toluene and trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE), in addition to benzene and vinyl chloride at Camp Lejeune, are known to increase the risk of children developing birth defects and hematopoietic cancers. Additionally, prescription medications such as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) have been found 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 corporate defendants who cause suffering and suffering of families who have suffered due to their negligence. She graduated as a magna cum laude from Williams College and Columbia Law School and is licensed to practice in New York and New Jersey.