The rate of opioid-addicted newborns has significantly increased over the last 20 years. Opioid-addicted babies can suffer serious and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms, as well as various health complications. Parents are taking a stand against pharmaceutical companies that knew of the risks of opioid addictions, yet misled physicians and consumers about the safety of the drugs. They are also bringing claims against physicians for prescribing the drugs.
If an opioid addiction has harmed your baby, you could have grounds for a claim. Please contact Hill Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers today to learn about your options during a free consultation in San Antonio.
Why Choose Us?
- Our lead lawyer, Justin Hill, has recovered millions on behalf of personal injury clients.
- Our law firm has the experience and abilities to handle even the most difficult cases.
- Our lawyers are not afraid of going up against powerful pharmaceutical companies.
- Our attorneys believe in personal care. We always know our clients’ names and stories.
- Our law firm takes opioid-addicted baby claims on a contingency fee basis in Texas.
What Can an Attorney Do for You?
A San Antonio opioid-addicted baby attorney could give you the important information you need for a strong claim against a drug manufacturer, distributor, doctor, hospital or other parties for your infant’s injuries. Working with a dedicated attorney could maximize your compensatory award to provide the best possible future for your child. A lawyer will know how to negotiate with insurance companies, show evidence of your child’s damages, prove fault and take claims to court for optimal outcomes. Hiring a lawyer can give your family much-needed peace of mind during this tough time.
Why Does Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Happen?
Opioids are drugs that attach to the brain’s opioid receptors to dull feelings of pain. They are highly addictive drugs that doctors prescribe to patients at an alarming rate. In the last few years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tracked what it refers to as the Opioid Epidemic – a startling increase in the number of opioid-addicted individuals and related overdose deaths. The ongoing opioid crisis has affected millions of people, taking 47,000 lives in the U.S. in 2017 alone. Adults are not the only ones impacted.
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a condition in which a baby develops a dependence on opioid drugs through its mother while pregnant, then suffers withdrawals after birth. NAS can cause myriad health issues for newborns, some that could impact the infant for life. Examples include low birth weight, premature delivery, neural tube defects, memory problems, behavioral issues, impaired motor skills, interference with brain development and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
NAS can occur when a mother misuses or abuses opioid drugs while pregnant. Taking opioid drugs such as prescription painkillers or over-the-counter pain relievers during pregnancy could negatively affect the infant. Unfortunately, opioids have a high potential for addiction and abuse. Some mothers turn to heroin to feed an opioid dependency after a prescription runs out. This could lead to even more severe NAS symptoms for the infant.
Who Is Liable?
A prescribing doctor and/or the drug manufacturer that failed to adequately warn pregnant women of the risks of taking opioids could be liable for an opioid-addicted baby. It is a drug manufacturer and distributor’s legal obligation to adequately warn consumers of known or foreseeable risks of taking the drug, including the risks of drug dependency, abuse and addiction.
Marketing addictive painkillers as appropriate for any type of pain-related issue could point to manufacturer liability for related damages. Additionally, the prescribing doctor has a duty of care not to prescribe potentially dangerous drugs to pregnant women. Prescribing opioids without discussing alternatives could be medical malpractice if it harms the mother or child.
Do You Have a Case? Contact Hill Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers for Answers
The opioid epidemic has ruined lives and destroyed families around the U.S. If opioids negatively impacted your baby in San Antonio, Texas, please do not hesitate to contact Hill Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers to discuss your rights. We offer free initial consultations that are 100% confidential so you can get answers.