Most of us know that alcohol and illegal drugs during pregnancy can harm an unborn baby by causing developmental issues, low birth weight, injury, and even death. But many of us are unaware that using prescription drugs while pregnant can cause similar harm, disabilities, and injuries. To help keep mothers and babies safe, our Ohio birth injury lawyers detail some common prescription medications that can lead to severe congenital disabilities or injuries.
If your baby suffered a birth injury caused by a prescription drug or a medication error, contact Ohio’s leading birth injury lawyers at Slater & Zurz. With over 100 years of combined experience, our personal injury attorneys can expertly assist you in securing maximum compensation. Call (888) 534-4850 today to schedule a FREE consultation.
Common Prescriptions That Can Lead to Serious Birth Injuries
While most prescribed medications can be safely taken before and during pregnancy, others are known to be dangerous. Below is a list of medications linked to severe congenital disabilities and injuries.
Accutane – A widely-used prescription used to effectively treat acne, Accutane and its active ingredient, Isotretinoin, have been linked to severe birth defects, including cleft palates, serious heart defects, eye problems, hearing problems, and developmental disabilities.
Benzodiazepines – This family of depressants, when taken in the first trimester, can lead to preterm births and birth defects, such as cardiac malformations and cleft palates. Benzodiazepines include commonly prescribed drugs, such as alprazolam (Xanax,) diazepam, and chlordiazepoxide.
NSAIDs – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, have been linked to severe birth defects, including Spinal Bifida and amniotic band syndrome. Spinal Bifida refers to a condition where the baby’s spinal cord is exposed. This exposure can cause paralysis and other debilitating conditions.
Metformin – Commonly used to treat type 2 Diabetes, this prescription drug has been known to cause genital birth defects among boys. This increase was present in cases where the father took the medication during the three months before conception.
Anti-seizure medication – Several anti-seizure medications have been linked to increased birth defects, such as developmental disabilities, organ abnormalities, and cleft palates. These medications include phenobarbital, Tegretol, Epanutin, and Topamax.
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors – SSRIs are a family of commonly prescribed antidepressants that work by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain. While they effectively treat mild to severe depression, they can also cause defects, such as heart, respiratory, and abdominal abnormalities.
Antibiotics – While many antibiotics can be safely administered during pregnancy to treat bacterial infections, some can lead to cleft palates, skull deformities, and heart defects. Antibiotics that may be harmful to your baby include tetracycline, nitrofurantoin, and sulfonamides.
Fluconazole – Used to treat fungal and yeast infections, fluconazole has been linked to miscarriages and defects, such as a cleft palate, femoral bowing, brachycephaly, and congenital heart disease.
Liable Parties in Medication Birth Injury Cases
Ohio law gives injured victims the right to seek compensation from a negligent party. These parties include but are not limited to:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Certified nursing assistants
- Hospitals
- Urgent care facilities
- Anesthesiologists
- Pharmacists
- Pharmacies
- Drug manufacturers
Compensation in an Ohio Birth Injury Case
Victims injured by medications and medication errors can seek financial compensation for their injuries and associated losses. The compensation available in each case depends on the circumstances of the incident. However, damages that can be awarded in an Ohio birth injury case include the following:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- In-home or facility care
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Lost past and future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional trauma
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Lost quality of life
- Wrongful death damages (if the victim died as a result of the prescription error)
To learn more, feel free to reach out to our personal injury legal team at Slater & Zurz. Our Ohio birth injury lawyers can look at the specifics of your case and give you a better idea of the types and amount of compensation you would likely be entitled to.
How an Ohio Birth Injury Attorney Can Help You Secure Justice
Following a birth injury or defect, your new reality can be challenging enough. The typically stressful task of filing a birth injury medical malpractice claim can prove too much to take on. That is why we always recommend letting an experienced birth injury lawyer in Ohio assist you in the process.
A qualified injury attorney can handle every aspect of your case, providing invaluable assistance by:
- Ensuring your baby receives the medical care they need to recover as fully as possible.
- Handling all communication with the negligent party’s insurance company and their attorneys should they be brought in on the claim.
- We will keep you updated with any developments in your case and explain any new options you may have.
- Building a persuasive case with the assistance of medical, psychological, and financial experts. This includes showing the nature of the injury, what caused the injury, the short and long-term effects, and the full extent of your losses.
- Negotiating with the insurance company to secure a just settlement outside of court.
- Filing a lawsuit and representing your best interests in court, should it be necessary for securing full and fair compensation.
- Fighting for your rights and best interests during every step of the process.
- Being there for you and your family even after your case is resolved.
Consult with a Medication Error Injury Attorney in Ohio
If the administration of a prescription drug harmed your baby, you might be able to hold the healthcare professional who prescribed or administered the medication responsible for their actions. If you or your baby suffered an injury and would like to learn more about your legal rights or the birth injury lawsuit process, contact the qualified birth injury attorneys at Slater & Zurz.
We have seen the devastating effects of medication-related birth injuries and defects. That is why our team is entirely dedicated to helping those affected by these unnecessary injuries. Under Ohio law, you have the right to seek justice and secure compensation for damages, such as medical expenses and ongoing care.
Call our Ohio birth injury lawyers today for a free consultation to take the first step in getting the justice you deserve. Should you choose our firm to represent you in your case, we won’t have to pay us anything upfront. Our personal injury attorneys only get paid when we win your case. We also have convenient locations across Ohio, including Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo, to serve you. Call (888) 534-4850 today.
