The 10 Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and a half minutes, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These Birth defect attorneys defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.

Variations in the way cases are classified and identified can lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain types of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may have long-term health effects. Birth defects could be caused by medical errors or negligence of the doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects is prevented by the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In certain instances birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors, birth defect attorneys such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, such as the uterine restriction, rupture of the amniotic sac or the lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders which run in families. These can be detected by a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these ailments can be prevented or treated with the help of a specialist, such as PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no cause and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic disorders might want to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they'll need additional tests. Screening tests for newborns can help identify certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, which can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part, affecting the way that organs function or the structure of the body. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born or during early childhood. Certain birth defects, such as palates, lips, or craniofacial abnormalities, are apparent. Some, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct which carries an influx of bile to the liver).

Many birth defect attorney defects can be detected by newborn screening tests that look for specific health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It is not always possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually involved. This can be due to exposure to prescription or non-prescription drugs, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water of communities or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects are the result due to a medical professional failing to take the proper steps to treat or prevent an illness that is known to be medically prone. In these instances there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect is identified, the options for treatment differ based on the type and severity of the defect. Some can be corrected before a baby is born, while others may require surgery or other medical procedures following the birth of the child.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, resulting from missing or birth defect attorneys extra genes in a person's cells. They are typically passed down from the parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. They are usually caused by issues during the growth of the baby's organs, specifically during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later on in life when the first signs begin to appear. These tests can be carried out by ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some birth defects are caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, whereas other can be traced back to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. Some birth defects can also be linked to certain chemicals that can be found in the surrounding environment, including pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries are still a tragic reality. Fortunately, many birth defects are preventable. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that a birth defect may have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we are proud on the exceptional service we offer to our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on your child, you, and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for damages such as past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in certain circumstances as well as emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family gets the best possible result.

Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them to the market, and warn consumers about any possible adverse consequences. If, however, your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may start a lawsuit based on product liability with the assistance of a birth defects drug lawyer.