We want to be very clear that the Fitzgerald Lawyers have not discovered the cause of Autism. In fact no one has discovered the cause of autism. It is assumed that there is a genetic component and an environmental component so that some children are more likely to develop autistic behavior but there is also something in the environment which contributed to their autism.
What the Fitzgerald Lawyers do know is that developmental delays are often wrongly attributed to autism. In other words autism is a misdiagnosis in many cases.
Autism Lawyers – Autism Lawsuit
Contact The Fitzgerald Law Firm if you want us to help you find out why your child was diagnosed with autism. If medical malpractice or environmental toxins are involved, The Fitzgerald Law Firm will seek compensation for your child:
- $3,250,000 – The Fitzgerald Lawyers successfully argued that the hospital where their client was born mismanaged labor and delivery (hospital malpractice). Hypoxic ischemia (oxygen deprivation) resulted in brain damage and ADHD. The child was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (Case # 02078).
- $1,580,000 – The Fitzgerald Lawyers successfully argued that their young client, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, was injured by lead ingestion and that 1) the landlord negligently failed to paint over old, lead-based paint and 2) a hospital negligently failed to test for lead levels until the child was two years of age (Case # 02004).
- $445,000 – The Fitzgerald Lawyers successfully argued that a New York hospital failed to diagnose and treat high bilirubin levels (jaundice), which caused brain injury in a child that had been diagnosed with autism (Case # 87235).
Autism is a disorder of neurodevelopment characterized by impaired social interaction and communication and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is 3 years of age.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASDs) also include Asperger Syndrome, which lacks delays in cognitive development and language, and pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). PDD-NOS is diagnosed when the full set of criteria for autism or Asperger Syndrome are not met.
Although autism is suspected to have a strong genetic basis, it is generally thought that environmental factors are also involved. Neither the gene nor any one specific environmental process have ever been clearly identified.
Many children are incorrectly diagnosed as having autism. Indeed, the autism spectrum disorders are confusing. For instance, PDD-NOS is an ASD, but it is not autism.
The Fitzgerald Law Firm, P.C. has successfully litigated cases which have resulted in verdicts and settlements for children who have been diagnosed with autism or autistic spectrum disorders. We were successful not because we could demonstrate the cause of autism; but rather, we were able to show that the child had a brain injury and that the brain injury was substantially contributed to by an environmental factor (typically, a hypoxic-ischemic insult or lead poisoning). Recent developments in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have made it possible to evaluate brain function of adults who were exposed to lead as young children and lead to the conclusion that they suffer permanent brain injury as a result. Many children and adults with brain damage due to lead poisoning or a hypoxic-ischemic insult have autistic-like signs and symptoms.