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 quarter minutes. These defects can affect the lives of those who are affected for the rest of their lives.

Different ways in which cases are identified and classified could lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain types of birth defects. A well-designed system includes 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 cause long-term health issues. Birth defects can be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be avoided by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some cases birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth defects are also caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, including uterine constraint rupture of the amniotic sac, or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses which run in families. They can be detected with a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain of these diseases are treatable or preventable, such as PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no known origin and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are more at risk of risk of having birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic disorders might want to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. This can help couples decide if they need to undergo further testing. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any part of the body and can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be identified by a doctor during pregnancy, at birth or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, like cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial abnormalities, are obvious. Others aren't as obvious, such as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports bile to the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests that look for a variety of health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism as well as sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be diagnosed by a medical professional via ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the condition.

It isn't always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually implicated. This can include exposures to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes birth defects can be caused by a doctor failing to take appropriate measures to avoid or treat a medical disease. In these instances, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect are based on its severity and type. Certain defects can be corrected prior to the baby is born, while others may require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

A few of the most common issues are chromosomal. These are caused by missing or excess genes within cells of a person. They are typically inherited from the parents. Structural defects include cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and heart issues. These are usually caused by problems with the growth of the baby's organs, specifically during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later on in life when the first signs begin to show. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. One can undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed towards a particular condition.

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

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects remain an unfortunate fact. Fortunately many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child with an anomaly in the birth process that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it's essential to consult an skilled lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take great pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, you and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for your losses, which could include future and past medical expenses as well as lost income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research your case and work hard to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug makers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them onto the public, and they must inform consumers about any potential side effects. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a prescription drug, you may file a product-liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.