17 Reasons You Shouldn t Beware Of Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and birth defects five minutes, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.

The way that cases are identified and classified can result in either under or over-ascertaining certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case assessment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with a defect or injury can be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects are often caused by an error in medicine or a doctor's negligence during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be avoided by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In some cases, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy like uterine constraint rupture of the amniotic sac or the inability to supply oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These are easily identified through a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no known cause and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and of certain ethnicities have an increased chance of having birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic diseases might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. This will help them determine if further testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function, or the structure of the person. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible such as cleft lips and craniofacial anomalies or palates while others are less evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified by newborn screening tests that look for specific health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It may not always be possible to know what caused birth defects, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating air and water in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects are due to a physician failing to take the appropriate measures to stop or treat a recognizable medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect has been identified, the options for treatment vary depending on the type and severity of the issue. Certain birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention following the birth of the baby.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal, due to missing or additional genes in a person's cells. They are typically passed down from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart problems. These birth defects are caused by problems with the development of organs in the baby particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later on in life when the first signs begin to show. These tests can be conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take a genetic test for birth defects to determine whether they are predisposed to a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some birth defects result from complications that arise during pregnancy, whereas other can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy could lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are also caused by certain chemicals that are present in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Fortunately the majority of birth defects are preventable. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical experts. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you understand your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has many years of experience dealing with cases of birth defects that are not correct. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice and we are proud on the quality of service we provide to our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on your child, and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages, in some cases and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research your case and then work to ensure the best outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the public, and they must inform consumers about any potential side negative effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a prescription drug, you can start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.