The 10 Scariest Things About 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 defects can alter the lives of those who are affected for a lifetime.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can lead to an over- or underestimated number 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 injuries or defects could cause long-term health issues. Birth defects can be caused by medical errors or negligence of the doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In certain instances, birth defects can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, including the uterine restriction, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects result from genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These can be identified with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses are treatable or preventable by a doctor, for example PKU and sickle cell disease 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 and are of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases might want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. This will aid them in determining if further tests are required. Newborn screening tests can 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 affects any part of the body which can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious such as cleft lips and Birth Defect Attorney craniofacial anomalies or palates while others are less evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests that look for specific health issues. PKU Congenital Hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are among the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some Birth Defect Attorney defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It may not always be possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or non-prescription medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water of communities or a problem during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen due to a medical professional failing to make the necessary steps to treat or prevent an illness that is known to be medically prone. In these instances it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for birth defect attorney a suspected birth defect are based on the severity and type. Some birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others might require surgery or medical intervention following the birth of the baby.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes in a person's cells. They usually come from the parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart problems. These are typically caused by problems during the growth of the baby's organs, particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later in life when the first signs begin to appear. These tests can be done by ultrasounds or blood tests. One can undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some are caused by issues that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are related to chemicals that can be found 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 medical technology, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Thankfully most birth defects are preventable. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect the birth defect could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate will help you understand the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience dealing with cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we pride ourselves on the high level of service we provide to 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 compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages when necessary and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and will work tirelessly to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to adequately test their products before putting them on market and to warn consumers of potential side effects. If, however, your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug, you could make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defects drug lawyer.