Thalidomide — a 1950s “wonder drug” — caused thousands of birth defects before it was pulled from the market.
Pregnancy and childbirth is supposed to be a joyous event in your life. During pregnancy, expectant parents envision a happy, healthy baby. While the excited parents-to-be know that parenthood is no cakewalk, their dreams are filled with the best possible scenarios.
Having those ideals squashed by news that something is wrong with the baby during the pregnancy is bad enough; expecting a healthy baby and discovering otherwise at birth or shortly after is even more devastating. Most new parents are unprepared to handle such news, even if they are able to adapt and move forward with hope despite the reality of the unthinkable. A Tulsa birth defects attorney can help you to understand applicable laws and your rights if you suspect your child is the victim of medical malpractice or catastrophic exposure to chemical toxins.
Birth Defects
Birth defects are sometimes the result of genetic anomalies, illness, or substance use/abuse during pregnancy. However, the blame for some birth defects may lie on the shoulders of the medical staff and doctors providing prenatal care and attending the birth.
Birth defects can be caused by the use of prescription drugs prescribed prior to and during pregnancy. They can also be caused by mistakes made during the birth itself. Some birth defects are also attributable to toxic chemicals and environmental hazards.
There are thousands of possible birth defects, most of them rare and genetic. Birth defects that are more common include deformities, cleft lip, cleft palate, spina bifida, heart defects, clubfoot, and anencephaly. Even some conditions, such as Cerebral Palsy and Erb’s Palsy, are birth injuries that cause many defects and change the family’s life forever.
Birth defects affect children in different ways, mostly depending on the severity of the defect, as well as the body part affected. Some birth defects affect a child more emotionally than physically, while others can be life threatening. Some defects can be corrected with surgery while others cause lifelong disability.
Birth Defect Causes
If a birth defect is the result of chemical exposure r environmental toxins, and this can be proven, the manufacturer or entity responsible for your exposure could be to blame, especially if you were unaware of the possible exposure. However, medical malpractice can also be to blame.
If your doctor prescribed prescription drugs with the potential to cause harm or defects to an unborn child, either before you became pregnant or during your pregnancy, and your were unaware of the risks, your physician maybe held responsible. In some cases, certain procedures or improper responses, especially during emergencies, during labor or delivery can lead to birth defects and birth injuries. In these cases, the doctor and other medical staff may be to blame for their action or inaction.
The Aftermath
When a child is born with birth defects or a birth injury, life for the entire family often changes for the long-term. Some birth defects require extensive medical care and corrective surgeries. Between the staggering medical bills and the potential loss of income to stay home and care for the child or the expense of a caregiver, these families face many difficulties. Moreover, while some children recover from birth defects after corrective surgeries or are able to lead a fully functional life in spite of birth defects, others require ongoing care, rehabilitative and physical therapy, personal care and assistance, assistive devices, and more.
Fortunately, many of these children qualify for disability benefits and medical assistance. Still, the family should not have to bear the burden alone if chemical or toxin exposure or medical malpractice is to blame for the child’s birth injury or birth defect. Blame belongs where blame is due, and it is your right to seek compensation to help with your expenses and your child’s pain and suffering.
Initial Consultation: Tulsa Birth Defects Attorney
If you suspect that your child’s birth injury or birth defects were preventable and are the result of chemical or toxin exposure or medical malpractice, an experienced Tulsa birth defects attorney can help you to understand your rights and to seek the compensation you need and deserve. Birth defects are unfortunate occurrences, but if those defects and other birth injuries are caused by avoidable events, seek justice for your child by contacting Personal Injury Law Office of Tulsa today.
You can help to reduce and potentially eliminate such occurrences by taking action and making an example of those unscrupulous companies and medical practitioners who carelessly cause injuries and damage lives. For a low-cost and confidential case evaluation call (918) 924-5528 or toll free (888) 447-7262, or send us a message using the form on the right side of this page.
