The 10 Most Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and an hour, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects can have a lasting effect on the lives of those affected.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can result in an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may cause long-term health issues. Birth defects can result from a medical error or negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may be the result of complications in pregnancy, such as uterine constriction, rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen in the foetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that are passed down through families. They can be detected through an ultrasound test or a blood test. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no known cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 and are of certain ethnicities have an increased chance of having birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illnesses might want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they'll need additional tests. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part which can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born or in early childhood. Certain birth defect lawyer defects, such as cleft lips, palates or craniofacial defects, are easily visible. Some, however, are not as obvious, such as congenital cardiac disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries bile to the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified through newborn screening tests, which check for specific health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be identified by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the defect.

It may not always be it possible to pinpoint the cause of birth defects, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects arise due to a medical professional failing to make the necessary steps to treat or prevent a known medical condition. In these cases there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect is recognized, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and birth defect severity of the defect. Some birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others might require medical intervention or surgery after the baby's birth.

Many of the most common birth defect lawsuits defects are chromosomal. due to missing or additional genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are often inherited from parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart issues. These defects are caused due to problems with the organ development of the baby especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born, or later on in life, when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be performed via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to suffer from a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Some are due to complications that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to specific environmental elements. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Some birth defects are also due to chemicals that are found in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medical technology, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child with an anomaly in the birth process that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's important to talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers has many years of experience handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the high level of service we offer to our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can focus on yourself, your child and your entire family.

We can assist you in obtaining compensation for damages, such as the future and past medical costs as well as lost income, punitive damages in certain instances as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and work diligently to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug makers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them onto the market, and also warn consumers about any possible adverse consequences. If, however, your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you may be able to bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.