How to File a Birth Defect Lawsuit
Modern medical and technological advances have significantly reduced the risk of childbirth. However, birth defects or injury can still happen frequently.
A birth defect lawsuit seeks to recover for your child’s medical expenses, educational costs, and other expenses. To be able to file claims, you must demonstrate that medical professionals violated the standard of medical care prior to or during pregnancy, or delivery.
Damages
Pregnancy is one of the most exciting and stressful times in a parent’s life. Parents want their children to be perfect, and doctors work to do their best to prevent birth defects from happening. Unfortunately, negligence and carelessness on the part of medical professionals can increase the chance of birth injuries and birth defects. A family who is shocked by this news should think about seeking legal action for a birth defect.
A successful birth defect lawsuit may result in damages for a variety of different things. This includes suffering and pain for the victim as well as loss of consortium and medical expenses, not to mention loss of earning capacity. The amount of damages a victim receives will depend on the severity of their child’s medical condition and the extent that it has affected with their life quality.
Birth injuries and birth defects can be caused by a variety of factors which include exposure to environmental factors. Studies have shown that certain chemicals, like pesticides, fungicides lead, paints and heavy metals may increase the chance of birth defects. Birth defect lawyers have brought lawsuits against companies that exposed workers to these hazardous chemicals, as well as against pharmaceutical companies that have made drugs that could cause birth defects in fetuses, such as DES.
If you suspect that medical malpractice caused the birth injury or birth defect, it is recommended to consult a lawyer for birth defects immediately. In some states, there is only one year to file a medical malpractice lawsuit, and waiting more than that may mean losing your chance of getting the justice you have earned for your child’s injury.
Statute of limitations
A statute of limitations is a law that defines how long a person has to file a civil claim. If a person fails to meet a deadline will lose the right to sue a defendant for damages. Birth injury claims can have a more complicated statute of limitations than other medical malpractice claims.
A lawsuit is typically filed against the doctor or hospital who caused the patient’s injuries during labor and delivery. These cases can be referred to birthing injury suits or wrongful birth lawsuits although Florida’s laws permit parents to file a malpractice suit for the death of an infant.
To prove medical malpractice, the victim will need to show that the doctor at fault didn’t adhere to the standards of care and consideration required by a different health healthcare provider in similar situations. This includes failing to recognize an illness that is serious, for example, low oxygen levels during childbirth that can cause cerebral palsy and brain damage.
A qualified attorney should be the first step to filing a lawsuit against birth defects. Most attorneys offer free consultations to prospective clients. If the lawyer believes that a client has a valid claim they will review medical records and hire expert witnesses to assess the evidence. They will also assist in preparing documents and file the medical malpractice lawsuit on time.
Expert Witnesses
In a case involving birth injuries, it is essential to have medical experts who can explain to a jury the medical procedures and practices. Expert witnesses can be difficult to testify because they must scrutinize the vast amount of information to be able make decisions that are based on evidence rather than opinions. They should also be able to provide evidence on matters that might contradict their opinions.
In the Daubert case the plaintiffs’ experts claimed that Bendectin was the cause of their child’s birth defects. The judge found that the evidence was at the «cutting edge of research in science, where fact meets theory and the certainty transforms into probabilities.» However the judge did not believe there was enough evidence to prove that Bendectin doubled a baby’s chance of developing birth defects.
The Daubert ruling was a setback to the plaintiffs who had sued pharmaceutical companies to try and obtain justice. However, there are many avenues for an injured party may pursue a lawsuit for birth defects.
A Philadelphia birth defect attorney can assist those suffering from birth defects to determine whether they have a case. A lawyer can assist plaintiffs determine whether they are eligible to file a lawsuit on their own or a class action. In certain instances lawyers can bring a birth injury lawsuit in the context of multidistrict litigation (MDL). Fill out the form to receive a private and free consultation with an attorney.
Representation
Modern technology and recent advances in the field of medicine could have reduced the chance of complications occurring during pregnancy and childbirth, but they’re not completely eliminated. Parents may pursue legal action if they suffer a birth defect or birth injury occurs, and the reason could have been prevented.
Medical negligence claims usually stem from a doctor’s failure to properly diagnose or treat a problem. Physicians may fail to perform an ultrasound or make a mistake in surgery, resulting in birth defects such as spina bifida. Birth defects can be caused by improper medication that is taken by the mother, or exposure to chemicals or other environmental dangers during the child’s development during the womb.
A birth defect can affect any part of a newborn’s body. It can affect their health, performance and appearance. In some cases birth defects can drastically reduce a baby’s lifespan or result in an enormous amount of medical costs.
Contact an attorney for birth defects today if you believe that the birth defect lawsuits injury or defect was the result of medical negligence or malpractice during pregnancy or labor. A lawyer can assist you in understanding your options and help submit a claim prior to the deadline for filing. A lawyer can also negotiate an agreement with the parties accountable for the harm to your child.