17 Signs To Know If You Work With 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 birth defects can have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.

The way that cases are classified and identified could lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain subtypes 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

A baby born with a defect or injury can have long-term health consequences. Birth defects are often the result of an error in medicine or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In some instances, birth defects can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth defects are also caused by complications that happen during pregnancy like the uterine limit 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 disorders which run in families. These can be identified with tests for blood or an ultrasound. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no known reason and are classified as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities have a higher risk of developing certain birth defect lawsuit defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic disorders may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to conceive. This can aid them in determining if further testing is required. Screening tests for newborns can be used to detect certain conditions like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can 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 or after the baby is born, or even during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips or craniofacial abnormalities however others are more 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 detected by newborn screening tests which check for specific health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A doctor can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It may not always be possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is typically 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 the birth. Other times, birth defects are caused by a doctor failing to take appropriate measures to prevent or treat a recognized medical problem. In these cases medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect is discovered, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the problem. Some birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal. caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They usually come from the parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart issues. These birth defects are caused by issues with the organ development of the baby especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later in life when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be performed by ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take a genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are susceptible to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some birth defects are caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Some birth defects are also related to 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 fact. Thankfully many birth defects are preventable. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help you understand your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases of birth defects (see this website) that are not correct. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and are proud of the quality of service we offer our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in obtaining compensation for your losses, which could include future and past medical expenses, lost income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible result.

Drug makers are required to thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the market and warn consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.