17 Signs You Are Working With Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Differences in how cases are identified and classified could lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain subtypes 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

When a baby is born with an injury or defect it could have serious health effects on the child's life. Birth defects are usually the result of a medical mistake 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 some instances, birth defect law firms defects can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. birth defect lawsuits defects may also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy such as the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

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

Women who are over 30 and of certain ethnicities are at an increased chance of having birth defects. Couples with the same genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they require additional tests. Newborn screening tests are able to determine certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function, or the structure of the person. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born, or even during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips or craniofacial abnormalities while others are less conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be detected by newborn screening tests which check for specific health issues. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic illnesses such as Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It may not always be certain what caused birth defects, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This can include exposures to prescription or over the counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the water and air in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or during delivery. Other times, birth defects are caused by a doctor failing to take appropriate measures to prevent or treat a recognized medical disease. In these cases there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect is recognized, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the problem. Certain birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention following the birth of the baby.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal, resulting from missing or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. These birth defects are caused by issues with the development of the baby's organs particularly in the initial three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later on in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be carried out by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo a genetic test for birth defects to determine whether they are predisposed to a particular ailment.

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

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Thankfully many birth defects can be avoided. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate can help you comprehend the legal options available to you and pursue compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and Birth Defects we pride ourselves on the excellent service we offer to our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, yourself and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages, in some cases and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and will work tirelessly to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to adequately test their products before putting them on the market and to inform consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.