15 Lessons Your Boss Wishes You d Known About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and a quarter minutes. These defects can affect the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

Differences in how cases are classified and identified could lead to an over- or under-ascertainment of certain types of birth defects. A well-designed system will include active case ascertainment that includes medical record abstraction and clinical review in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect or injury it can cause serious health issues for the child's life. Birth defects are usually caused by medical error or negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defect lawsuits defect is prevented by the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In some instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can result from complications during pregnancy, including uterine constriction, rupture of amniotic fluid's sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the fetus.

Certain birth defects result from genetic diseases which run in families. They can be identified by the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Certain of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no known origin and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women over the age of 30 and birth defect lawyer women of certain ethnicities have a higher chance of developing birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases might want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they should undergo additional testing. Screening tests for newborns can help identify certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, which are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any part of the body which can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious, like cleft lips and palates, or craniofacial disorders while others are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests, that look for specific health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism as well as sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be identified by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, depending on the defect.

It's not always possible to know what caused the birth defect, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. These include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water of communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a physician failed to make the necessary steps to prevent or treat an existing medical condition. In these cases, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect is recognized, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the problem. Certain defects can be corrected prior to the birth of a baby, while others might require surgery or other medical interventions following the birth of the child.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, due to missing or additional genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lips and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. These defects are caused by issues with the development of the baby's organs particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be done during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later on in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be performed via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have a genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a particular ailment.

It is not always simple to avoid birth defects. Some are caused by issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced back to specific environmental elements. Birth defects may be caused by use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects could be linked to chemicals found in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child suffering from an anomaly in the birth process that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's essential to consult an experienced lawyer as quickly as you can. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases of wrongful birth. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we pride ourselves on the exceptional service we offer to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages, such as past and future medical costs, lost income, damages for punitive in certain circumstances and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family gets the best possible result.

Drug manufacturers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them onto the market, and inform consumers of any possible side effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.