Birth Defects

Birth defects are sometimes caused by defective or dangerous drugs that a woman took during or before her pregnancy, and birth injuries may be caused by medical malpractice. Although many birth defects are natural occurrences that cannot be prevented, other birth defects could definitely have been prevented, and it is this category of birth defects and injuries that can be compensated for financially in a legal action.

Thalidomide: A History of Tragic Birth Defects

Many people still remember the effects of the anti-morning-sickness drug thalidomide, which caused terrible birth defects in more than 10,000 children whose mothers were prescribed the drug in the late 1950s and early 60s. The thalidomide tragedy prompted the U.S. Congress to enact laws requiring that drugs be tested for use during pregnancy as a condition of their approval and sale in the U.S.

Dangerous Drugs Still Exist

Today, there are several dangerous prescription drugs, herbal preparations, and dietary supplements that can cause birth defects. These include:

• Accutane, used to treat acne
• SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, and Prozac
• some psoriasis drugs such as Soriatane
• Thalidomide, which is still used to treat multiple myeloma and some complications of AIDS and leprosy
• some medications for treating high blood pressure, such as Captopril and Enalopril

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of all pregnancies in the U.S. each year are unplanned, and a woman may be taking a drug that can cause birth defects when she does not yet even realize that she is pregnant. In other cases, the pregnancy is known but a woman trusts her doctor’s judgment and takes a drug that causes her baby undue harm.

Birth Injuries from Medical Malpractice

Many birth injuries are caused by a substandard level of medical care before or during a baby’s birth. Medical malpractice by a physician or member of the birth team may cause a birth injury such as:

• cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, brachial plexus palsy
• brain damage
• temporary or permanent paralysis
• fractured bones
• Group B strep

Contact Us for More Information about Birth Defects

The parents of a child born with a birth defect or injury may have legal recourse. Their losses may be eligible for financial compensation. Contact our firm and arrange a private, no-cost consultation to discuss your circumstances. We look forward to helping you at this difficult time.

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