A Proactive Rant 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 affected for the rest of their lives.

The way that cases are classified and identified could lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain types of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may cause long-term health issues. Birth defects can result from an error in medicine or the negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defect can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In some cases birth defects can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may be the result of complications during pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus or rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or Birth Defect Lawyer a lack of oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These are easily detected with the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Certain of these ailments, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Some birth defects aren't known to be the cause. They are referred to as congenital disorders, or congenital anomalies.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are more at risk of risk of birth defect lawyer defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic disorders may consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to get pregnant. This will help them determine if additional testing is required. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects, birth defect lawyer as well as certain infections, which are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part, affecting the way that organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be spotted by a medical professional during the pregnancy process, at birth, or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips or palates or craniofacial anomalies and others are not as conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests that look for some kinds of health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to identify genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It is not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often implicated. This could include exposure to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute air and water in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects occur due to a medical professional failing to make the necessary steps to treat or prevent the occurrence of a medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect vary depending on the severity and type. Some of them can be fixed before the baby is born while others might require surgery or other medical procedures after the baby is born.

The most frequent issues are chromosomal. These are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from the parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lips and neural tube defects, as well as heart issues. These defects are caused due to issues with the development of organs in the baby especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during pregnancy, after a child is born or later in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be done by ultrasounds or blood tests. One can undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular disease.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some are caused by complications that occur during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced to certain environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects may be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. This includes pesticides as well as herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medical technology, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Many Birth defect lawyer defects can be prevented. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical experts. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take pride in the level of service that we provide our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on yourself, your child, and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages, including past and future medical costs as well as lost income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases, and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.

Manufacturers of drugs are required to thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the market and to warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If your child's birth defect was caused by a medication that is a prescription drug you may file a product liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.