Birth Defect Lawyers - Teratogens as Cause of Birth Defects

According to the Center for Disease Control ("CDC"), birth defects are the leading cause of infant death in the United States, resulting in 20% of all infant deaths, many of which are from exposure to teratogens during pregnancy. The CDC reports that 1 out of every 33 babies in the United States is born with a birth defect. As a result of it, more and more families are being represented by birth defect lawyers in order to seek justice and financial compensation from parties responsible for the teratogenic exposure.

A teratogen is an agent which interferes with normal embryonic development, thereby causing a birth defect. Lawyers at LPK confirm that teratogen chemical agents that cause birth defects may be contained in medications negligently prescribed by a doctor, in chemicals used in the workplace, or toxic substances that have contaminated the air or groundwater in a community, making those in the immediate vicinity vulnerable to environmental chemical exposure.

Many birth defects are caused by toxic or teratogen chemical exposures that occur during pregnancy. Because of genetic differences between individuals, exposures that cause a birth defect in one child may not have any effect on another child. It is estimated that between 20% and 30% of birth defects are caused by the combined effect of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposures.

The disturbing number of birth defects caused by toxic and chemical exposure to teratogens has increased the need for competent birth defect lawyers and has led to federal funding of research into environmental causes of birth defects from teratogens and other causes. This includes a $4 million grant to the Medical College of Wisconsin to investigate genetic susceptibility of pregnant women to environmental exposure, specifically to volatile organic compounds such as methanol, toluene and trichloroethylene ("TCE").

With the recognition that many birth defects are caused by toxic, environmental and other chemical exposures, it is important to consider contacting an experienced birth defect lawyer, if your child has been born with a serious birth defect. At LPK, we have been committed and dedicated lawyers representing birth defect victims for more than 25 years. We have made commitments to families searching for answers and seeking justice for birth defects that could have been prevented. We have the resources and the expertise to stand up to powerful industries that have caused pregnant women to be exposed to harmful chemicals or teratogens that cause birth defects in children.

Our work as birth defect lawyers include: the representation of children born with birth defects due to chemical exposure in computer chip manufacturing facilities, and serving as birth defect lawyers for children injured by drugs and pharmaceuticals such as DES.

LPK's attorneys will investigate your case at no charge and consult, as necessary, with experts in medicine and science, including toxicologists, epidemiologists, industrial hygienists, occupational medicine doctors, and geneticists. Founding partner Steven J. Phillips, who leads LPK's team of birth defect lawyers, is recognized as a pioneer in birth defect litigation.

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