The Best Advice You Could Ever Receive 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 can have a lasting effect on the lives of those affected.

Differences in how cases are identified and classified can lead to an over- or under-ascertainment of 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

A baby born with a defect or injury can be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects are usually caused by a medical mistake or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be avoided by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In certain instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, including constriction of the uterus rupture of the amniotic sac, or the inability to supply oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders which run in families. These are easily detected with an ultrasound test or a blood test. Some of these illnesses, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 and those of certain ethnicities have a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illness might want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. This can help them determine if further testing is needed. Screening tests for newborns can reveal some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, which 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 a person. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born or in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible such as cleft lips and palates, or craniofacial disorders while others are less noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests, that look for specific health problems. PKU Congenital Hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. These include exposure to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the air and water of communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a doctor not taking the proper steps to avoid or treat a medical disease. In these instances the possibility of 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 condition. Some birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention following the birth of the baby.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They are typically inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart issues. These birth defects are caused by problems with the baby's organ development particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born or later in life, birth defects when symptoms begin to show. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. One can also take genetic tests for birth defects to see whether they are prone to a particular ailment.

Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some birth defects result from complications that occur during pregnancy, whereas others are linked to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy may result in birth defects. Some birth defects are also due to chemicals that can be found in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Thankfully, many birth defects can be avoided. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take great pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking damages, which include future and past medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages, in some cases and emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible outcome.

Drug makers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the market, and inform consumers about any potential side consequences. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.