A New Trend In Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and quarter minutes. These defects can have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.

Differences in how cases are identified and classified can result in an over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could have long-term health effects. Birth defects are usually the result of a medical mistake or a doctor's negligence during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In other instances they may result from environmental factors such as exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can be caused by complications during pregnancy, including uterine constriction, rupture of amniotic fluid's sac or a lack of oxygen in the foetus.

Certain birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that are passed down through families. They can be detected with a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses can be prevented or treated by a doctor, for example PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no cause and are known as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to get pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they require further testing. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, which can be treated as soon as they are identified.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function or the structure of the person. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born, or even during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, like palates, lips or craniofacial defects, are apparent. Others aren't as obvious as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for a variety of health issues. PKU Congenital Hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can easily be identified by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, depending on the condition.

It may not always be certain what caused the birth defect, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This can be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that can contaminate water and air in communities or a problem during pregnancy or delivery. Other times birth defects could be caused by a doctor not taking appropriate steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical disease. In these cases, a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect lawyer defect has been discovered, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the issue. Certain defects can be corrected prior to the baby is born while others might require surgery or other medical interventions after the baby is born.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, caused by missing or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found, neural tube defects, and heart problems. These defects are caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be done during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later in life, when symptoms begin to show. The tests can be carried out by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can have a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed towards a particular condition.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some are due to complications that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to specific environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are also caused by certain chemicals that are found in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medical science, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Fortunately the majority of birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child suffering from a birth defect that may have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an skilled lawyer as soon as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate can assist you in understanding the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has many years of experience dealing with cases of wrongful birth. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take great pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages, in some cases and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the highest possible result.

Drug makers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the market, and warn consumers about any possible adverse negative effects. If the birth defects of your child resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you may file a product-liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.