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Every year, hundreds of thousands of babies are born with birth defects—structural, metabolic, or functional abnormalities that are present at birth—which can lead to severe physical and/or mental disabilities or fatalities in newborns. While the exact cause of 60 to 70 percent of birth defects is unknown, a number of risk factors including environmental or genetic causes could increase the odds of different types of birth defects.
Research has found that maternal exposure to environmental factors such as the hazardous chemical mercury can cause significant adverse effects in the development of a fetus.
Studies have revealed that women exposed to high levels of mercury during pregnancy are at a significant risk of their child developing mercury birth defects. Mercury is a chemical that is produced naturally in the environment and through man-made sources such as burning of wastes or coals and other similar industrial processes. Mercury released in the air can combine with other substances to form dangerous chemicals, which eventually fall back into the earth and build up in lakes, rivers, oceans, and streams. The fish in these bodies of water absorb the hazardous chemical, therefore exposing those who eat these fish to the dangerous toxins which may cause birth defects.
Pregnant or nursing women should avoid coming into contact with high levels of mercury, which is most often found in seafood. Experts recommend that pregnant women avoid or drastically limit consumption of the following types of fish to reduce the risk of mercury birth defects: shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, halibut, orange roughy, salmon or shellfish, canned tuna, and cod.
Mercury is also present on certain job sites, in which workers are exposed to mercury liquid or vapors. Some dental fillings contain mercury, which could increase the risks of mercury births defects in newborns. Coming into contact with broken thermometers, high-intensity light bulbs, and fluorescent light bulbs, which contain mercury, could also raise the risk of mercury birth defects.
Fetal exposure to mercury can result in severe damage to the nervous system, which can cause death. In addition, maternal exposure to mercury as early as the first trimester of pregnancy can pose serious risks of mercury birth defects including brain damage, learning disabilities, and hearing impairment.
If your child developed mercury birth defects that you suspect is linked to exposure to mercury during your pregnancy, you may be eligible to file a birth defect lawsuit to recover your losses including pain and suffering, medical expenses, and more. A competent and caring birth defects attorney can evaluate your case and inform you of your legal rights and options.
Please contact us today to learn more about mercury birth defects, or other causes of birth defects, or to speak with a qualified and experienced lawyer who is dedicated to protecting your legal rights and getting you and your family the compensation you deserve.
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