The 10 Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and a half minutes, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects can impact the lives of those who are affected for a lifetime.

The way that cases are identified and classified can result in over- or under-ascertainment of certain types of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system employs active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect could have long-term health consequences. Birth defects are usually caused by an error in medical care or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some cases birth defects can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, including the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic diseases that are passed down through families. They can be detected with a blood test or ultrasound. Certain illnesses can be prevented or treated by a doctor, for example PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a origin and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of having certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic disorders might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will aid them in determining if further testing is required. Screening tests for newborns can be used to identify certain conditions, like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that can be treated right away.

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. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy, attorneys after a baby is born, or even during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable, like cleft lips and craniofacial anomalies or attorneys palates, while others are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be detected through newborn screening tests that look for specific health issues. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It isn't always possible to determine the source of a birth defect. However environmental factors are frequently involved. These include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating the air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects occur due to a medical professional failing to make the necessary steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these instances there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect differ based on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention following the birth of the baby.

The most frequent birth defect lawsuit defects are chromosomal, caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are often inherited from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart issues. These problems are caused by issues with the development of the baby's organs especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during pregnancy, after a child is born or later in life, when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be carried out by ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are prone to a particular condition.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some are caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced to certain environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. These include pesticides and herbalicides, such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine birth injuries and defects continue to be an unfortunate fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child suffering from an anomaly in the birth process that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it's essential to consult an experienced lawyer as quickly as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate can help you understand the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers have many years of experience in settling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice and we are proud on the high level of service we provide to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in certain circumstances as well as emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work hard to ensure the best outcome for your family.

Drug makers are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them on the market and to inform consumers of the potential adverse effects. If, however your child's birth defect was caused by a medication that is a prescription drug you could bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.