The 10 Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and quarter minutes. These defects can alter the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

Different classifications and types of cases can lead to an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system will include active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and clinical review and passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect could be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects are usually caused by an error in medical care or a medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defects can be avoided by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In certain instances birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors, birth defect attorneys such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may be the result of complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus or rupture of the amniotic sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These can be identified with a blood test or ultrasound. Certain illnesses can be prevented or treated, such as PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no cause and are known as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk for some birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they should undergo further tests. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, which can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can impact organ function or the structure of a person. Birth defects can be detected by a doctor during pregnancy, before birth or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, like cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial abnormalities, are apparent. Some, however, are less obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified through newborn screening tests which look for certain health problems. PKU Congenital Hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can easily be identified by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the type of defect.

It is not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are frequently involved. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the air and water of communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects are the result because a physician failed to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent the occurrence of a medical condition. In these cases there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

When a birth defect has been diagnosed, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the defect. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born while others might require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, resultant from the absence of or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. They are typically passed down from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and heart problems. These defects are caused due to issues with the organ development of the baby particularly during the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be performed during pregnancy or after birth. They can also be performed later on in life when symptoms begin to manifest. These tests can be carried out through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can have a genetic test for Birth defect attorneys defects to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some are due to issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to certain environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Some birth defects can also be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. These include pesticides and herbalicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries remain a tragic fact. Thankfully, many birth defects are preventable. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect lawsuit defect may be the result of the negligence of medical professionals. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney will help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling wrongful birth cases. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take great pride in the quality of service we provide 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 damages, which include future and past medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages, in some cases and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible outcome.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them to the market, and inform consumers about any potential side negative effects. However, if your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you may start a lawsuit based on product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.