How Toxic Chemicals Can Lead To Birth Defects
About 3% of live births result in birth defects, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. This is often because expectant mothers are exposed to toxic substances every day. While some toxic substances are unavoidable, other forms of exposure may leave you entitled to compensation for any birth defects.
Harmful Produce
Consuming organic produce reduces exposure to toxic substances found in pesticides. In fact, children who only consume organic foods have undetectable levels of pesticides. You'll especially want to be careful with:
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Apples
- Celery
- Spinach
However, some companies might mislabel a product as being organic, and you may be entitled to compensation if you later discover that farmers grew the food under toxic conditions.
Medical Malpractice
Doctors are required to make sure that you receive instructions on what supplements to take and what you shouldn't eat while carrying a child. If your doctor fails to do this, you may have a medical malpractice claim against them. Common substances that can lead to birth defects include:
- Asbestos
- Photoresist
- Crude oil
- Freon
- TCE
- Benzene
In addition to being informed about potential risks, you must also take steps to identify and eliminate these risks.
Workplace Hazards
You may be exposed to toxic chemicals in the workplace. Electronics in high-tech industries can lead to exposure to toxic chemicals that can lead to genetic damage. To be safe, workers in these industries need the air to constantly be recirculated. If you are pregnant and are exposed to toxic chemicals because of poor work practices, you may have a case if the toxic chemicals lead to a birth defect.
Unfortunately, you may find it very difficult to find out if you were the victim of a toxic hazard that led to a birth defect. You will need to:
- Determine if there was a duty of care
- Find out what caused the birth defect
- Identify the source of the hazard that may have caused your defect
Because of this, you may need help from birth defect attorneys who work with expert witnesses. A birth defect expert witness can help you find out who might be liable, can help you locate medical records that can prove your case, and can also help you craft a case that will increase your odds of reaching a settlement. Medical professionals typically are instructed by their insurance providers to not admit fault so you will need to uncover the truth with the help of an attorney.
Contact a birth defect attorney to learn more.