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 quarter minutes. These birth defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of the affected.

Different classifications and methods of identifying cases may result in an over- or under-estimated 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

If the baby is born with a defect or injury it could cause serious health problems for the child's future. Birth defects could be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of doctors during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In certain instances birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that happen during pregnancy like constriction of the uterus rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. These are easily identified through a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these illnesses can be treated or prevented, such as PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 and are of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illness may consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to get pregnant. This will aid them in determining if further testing is necessary. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect organ function or the structure of a person. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born or in early childhood. Certain birth defects, like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial defects, are visible. Other birth defect attorney defects, however, are less obvious, such as congenital cardiac disease and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that carries the bile to the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be identified through newborn screening tests which look for some kinds of health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It's not always certain what caused birth defects, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This may include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water in communities, or complications during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes birth defects can be caused by a medical professional failing to take appropriate measures to stop or treat a recognizable medical health condition. In these situations the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

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

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. due to missing or additional genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lips and neural tube defects, as well as heart issues. They are usually caused by problems during the development of a baby's organs, specifically during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be performed during pregnancy, or after birth. They can also be performed later on in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be carried out by ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an genetic test for birth defects to determine whether they are predisposed to a specific condition.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some are caused by complications that arise during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects are often caused by the use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can also be linked to certain chemicals that can be found in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science, birth injuries and defects persist as an unfortunate fact. Fortunately the majority of birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child who has an issue with their birth that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases of wrongful birth. We are a plaintiffs-only company and take pride in the level of service that we provide our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for your losses, which could include future and past medical expenses loss of income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases as well as emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work hard to ensure the best outcome for your family.

Drug makers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing their products to the market, and also warn customers about any possible side consequences. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer.