Birth Defect Lawyers

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

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

Causes of Birth Defects

Certain birth defects are the result of changes in genes or chromosomes. These problems can be inherited from parents with these issues or could result from new mutations occurring in fertilized eggs. These problems can affect the way that the body functions or develops. These genetic issues can be minor or serious.

There are also birth defects caused by environmental factors during fetal development. These include toxins and chemicals such as those found in industrial solvents like benzene, trichloroethylene (used in dry cleaning) and perchloroethylene (used to strip paint and used in painting and degreasing of metals). They can also be exposure to arsenic, lead mercury, and other heavy metals in the production of goods or in power plants. These harmful substances are referred as teratogens, and they can cause serious harm to a developing baby.

A medical professional could cause a birth defect through incompetence, for example, not diagnosing or treating the mother's health issue during pregnancy or after the baby is born. A doctor could be negligent if he or prescribes a medication that could cause a birth defect or improperly administers a medication. Medical malpractice claims could be brought against the doctor who caused the negligence. A birth injury lawsuit could 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 adversely affect its appearance or function. According to the CDC the conditions could affect any body part or organ.

Parents often want to know the cause of a birth defect. The most commonly cited causes of these problems are medical negligence or exposure to teratogen chemical. A knowledgeable birth defect lawyer can assist families to investigate the causes of birth defects and pursue a lawsuit against those responsible.

In most 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 a birth defect and linking it to the cause of the injury. Documenting receipts, bills, and credit card payments along with other evidence, can assist in supporting your claim for compensation.

It would be helpful to have more time to process the traumatic moment of learning that a child has a birth defect or injury, but this is not an option when it comes to filing a legal claim. This is why it is critical to work with a knowledgeable birth defect lawyer and a birth injury lawyer who will handle all the preceding steps efficiently.

Product Liability

Modern technology and medicine have drastically decreased the risks of childbirth. However birth accidents and birth defects are possible. If your child suffered an injury due to the negligence or inattention of medical professionals during pregnancy, labor and delivery, you may be legally entitled to financial compensation to compensate your loss.

A birth defect lawyer at Levy Konigsberg, LLP can assist you in determining whether you have a valid reason to bring a suit against the doctor, hospital, and other parties responsible. Our team has the expertise and resources necessary to protect your rights, and includes the services of specially trained medical and scientific experts who can identify and connect your child's condition with exposure to chemicals or other environmental factors.

Birth defects can range in severity, and can impact a child's appearance, quality of life, and lifespan. If your child's condition was a result of medical negligence or exposure to prescription medication or toxic chemicals, as well as environmental circumstances, our firm can provide expert advice and guidance on the merits of a claim. Contact us now to start the process of obtaining compensation for your damages. We can examine your case at no cost and without obligation. We only get paid when we win your case or settle it.

Toxic Exposure

Many people are exposed to chemicals and toxic substances on a daily basis in their work or surroundings. Unfortunately some of these chemicals can cause birth defect (teratogens), and can harm babies. Parents who believe that their child has an issue with birth due to chemical exposure may be entitled to compensation.

One of the most common causes of birth defects is chemical exposure during pregnancy. Some of these substances, like toxic solvents used in the semiconductor industry are believed to cause birth defects in unborn babies. Our firm has handled many cases against the largest corporations in the world in these cases, resulting in billions in settlement agreements.

It is known that exposure to organic solvents, such as trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, and toluene (TCE) as well as benzene and Vinyl Chloride at Camp Lejeune can increase the risk of childhood cancers, including hematopoietic and birth defects. SSRIs and other prescription medicines, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are also known to have been linked to various birth defects.

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