Birth Defect Attorneys

One out of every 33 babies is born with an injury or birth defect. An empathetic and skilled birth defect lawyer can help parents get compensation for medical, therapy and other expenses relating to a child's impairment.

Although doctors strive for perfection, negligence or malpractice can increase the risk of birth defects and injuries. A Boston birth defect lawyer can help parents obtain damages.

Medical Malpractice

A medical condition a child is born with can have devastating effects on the whole family. Although most of these ailments are caused by genetics, they could also be caused by medical malpractice. A Rochester birth injury lawyer can determine whether the medical professionals involved in the birth of your child exhibited medical negligence.

Medical malpractice is a crime committed by doctors who fail to adhere to the standards of professional practice of their profession. This includes taking the necessary steps to prevent complications during labor and birth. A birth injury lawyer will look over all the information about your child's case including medical records and consult with experts to determine whether the doctors breached the standard of care.

Physical trauma can result in injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening during an uneasy delivery. Many of these injuries are preventable by doctors who follow the correct medical procedures. In many instances, these kinds of medical errors are the result of negligence and malpractice. Burton Law Group, a legal team that specializes in Oklahoma medical malpractice has helped many parents who are devastated by the injuries suffered by their child to uncover the truth and obtain the compensation they deserve. For more information about how we can help you, contact us today. The laws of the state in which you live will set deadlines (also called statutes) within which you may file a lawsuit. The statutes you are required to file can differ based on the type of claim you make (e.g. medical negligence).

Defective Products

Parents are looking for perfect babies and healthy children But medical negligence or malpractice may increase the risk of birth defects. This can result in wrongful death or serious permanent injuries to the child. A specialist birth defect lawyer will assist in bringing a suit against the responsible party or parties.

Birth defect attorneys can also investigate and prosecute cases that involve the wrongful exposure of women pregnant to toxic substances and chemicals at home or at work. Studies have shown that common industrial and household chemicals and products, such as lead paint, fungicides, and chemically treated wastewater, may increase the risk of birth defects. An experienced attorney can challenge the companies that may have negligently exposed pregnant mothers to these harmful chemicals or toxins (teratogens) during pregnancy and seek a substantial financial compensation for the victim's family.

Birth injury lawsuits involving medical negligence are similar to other personal injury cases such as car accident and defective product claims. Doctors and other medical professionals are held to a greater standard of care due to their training and the trust that patients put in their abilities. Many birth injury lawsuits can be wrongful death lawsuits if a child is severely disabled and requires continuous care.

Prescription Drugs

Birth defects are serious conditions that affect the appearance or functionality of a specific part of the body. They range from mild to severe and can significantly impact the health of a newborn. They can lead to serious emotional, medical, birth defects and financial problems. In some instances, they could be fatal.

Many birth defects are genetic and caused by defects in the chromosomes of either the father or mother. However, in some instances they can be attributed to environmental factors. For instance, exposure to prescription drugs or toxins, as well as other substances that have a teratogenic influence.

Certain birth defects have been linked with certain commonly used drugs. This includes the morning sickness drug Zofran and anti-seizure medication like Topiramate, Valproate, or non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These include limb abnormalities and eye defects, heart defects and spinal cord defects, and many other problems. Seizure medications have also been associated with miscarriages.

A birth defect lawyer can assist parents with determining whether a birth defect in a child was the result of the medication taken by the mother during her pregnancy. Doctors are obliged to prescribe only medications that are safe to pregnant women. They are also required to warn patients about potential risks. A doctor who fails to do this can be held responsible for any birth injuries or defects.

Environmental Exposure

Birth defects are changes to the structure of one or more components of the body of a newborn. Other factors can affect the development of birth defects. Most are genetic and develop during the womb. Other causes include environmental toxins and medications used during pregnancy by the mother and exposure to teratogenic substances or chemicals. These cases require the help of experienced, dedicated birth defect attorneys.

A birth defect attorney can help families pursue a lawsuit against the physician or drug manufacturer, or any other individual or entity responsible for a baby's birth defect. If a medical procedure or medication or exposure to a toxic substance is the cause of the birth defect, the doctor and the drug manufacturer as well as any other entities accountable for the mother's exposure could be held liable.

Waters Kraus & Paul handles complex cases that involve birth defects that result from exposure to environmental toxic chemicals, toxins and industrial solvents, as well as prescription drugs. David Strouss, a partner at the firm, has defended the first birth defect lawsuits in the United States arising from exposure of parents to industrial solvents such as glycol-ethers. He has also handled claims on behalf of agricultural workers and residents downwind of pesticides or spraying. Other firm partners, Ilana Waxman and Evan Hoffman, both focus on environmental contamination, birth defects which includes cases that involve asbestos, toxic torts and whistleblower litigation.