The 10 Most Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and quarter minutes. These defects can alter the lives of those who are affected for a lifetime.

Different classifications and methods of identifying cases could result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment that includes medical record abstraction and clinical review as well as passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could have long-term health consequences. Birth defects can result from a medical error or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In other cases they could result from environmental factors like exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that arise during pregnancy such as uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these ailments, such as PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities are at a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic diseases may consider seeing a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they'll need further testing. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can alter organ function or the structure of the person. Birth defects can be detected by a medical professional during pregnancy, during birth or in the early stages of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious such as cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities and others are not as evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected by newborn screening tests which check for specific health issues. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to identify genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always it possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the water and air in communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects occur due to a medical professional failing to take the proper steps to treat or prevent a known medical condition. In these instances, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a birth defect differ based on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require medical intervention or surgery 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 usually passed down from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. They are typically caused by problems during the growth of the baby's body organs, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later in life when symptoms start to show. These tests can be done through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can have a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to suffer from a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some birth defects result from complications that arise during pregnancy, whereas others can be traced to environmental factors. Birth defects are often caused by the use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects may be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. This includes 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 medicine, birth defects as well as injuries are still a tragic reality. Fortunately the majority of birth defects can be prevented. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect may have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice lawyer will help you understand your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling wrongful birth cases. Our firm is a plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the excellent service we offer to our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, yourself and your family.

We can assist you in obtaining compensation for any damages, including the future and past medical costs loss of income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases, and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work diligently to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the public, and they must inform consumers of any possible side consequences. If, however your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you may start a lawsuit based on product liability with the assistance of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.