The 10 Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys
Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
Every four and five minutes, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.
Different ways in which cases are identified and classified can result in over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review and passive reporting.
Causes
A baby born with a defect or injury can have long-term health effects. Birth defects are usually the result of an error in medicine or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.
In some cases, birth defect can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In some instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can be caused by complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus, rupture the amniotic fluid sac or a lack of oxygen to the fetus.
Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders which run in families. These are easily identified through tests for blood or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses can be prevented or treated by a doctor, for example PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other Birth defect attorney defects have no reason and are classified as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.
Women who are older than 30 and of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of having certain birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic disorders may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to have a baby. This will help them determine if additional testing is necessary. Newborn screening tests are able to identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that can be treated immediately.
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 as well as after the baby is born or during early childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious, like cleft lips and palates or craniofacial anomalies while others are less noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).
Many birth defects can be identified by newborn screening tests, that look for specific health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism as well as sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.
It isn't always possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually associated with. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or birth defect lawyer. Sometimes, birth defects are the result due to a medical professional failing to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent an existing medical condition. In these situations, a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.
Treatment
If a birth defect is recognized, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the issue. Certain birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention following the birth of the baby.
Some of the most common defects are the chromosomal. They are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes in the cells of a person. They usually come from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. These problems are caused by problems with the organ development of the baby particularly in the initial three month of pregnancy.
Screening tests can be performed during pregnancy, or following birth. They may also be conducted later on in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be done via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may undergo a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to suffer from a certain condition.
It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some are due to issues that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced to certain environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can also be caused by chemicals that are found in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.
Compensation
Despite recent advancements in medical technology, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Thankfully, many birth defects can be avoided. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be due to the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can help you understand the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for your family's losses and expenses.
Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience handling wrongful birth cases. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take pride in the quality of service we offer our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, you and your entire family.
We can help you obtain compensation for damages, including past and future medical costs as well as lost income, damages for punitive in certain circumstances as well as emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible outcome.
Drug manufacturers must test their products thoroughly before releasing their products to the public, and they must inform consumers about any potential side consequences. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer.