A Productive Rant About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects can impact the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

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

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect or injury, it could have serious health effects on the child's health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects are usually caused by an error in medical care or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be avoided through the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In other cases they may be the result of environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxins. Birth problems can be caused by complications during pregnancy, including uterine constriction, rupture of the sac of amniotic fluid or a lack of oxygen in the foetus.

Some birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These can be diagnosed with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of having certain birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help them determine if further testing is needed. Newborn screening tests are able to determine certain conditions, such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

birth defect attorney defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can impact organ function or the structure of the individual. Birth defects can be identified by a doctor during pregnancy, during birth or in the early stages of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious, like cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities, while others are less conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be detected through newborn screening tests, which check for specific health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to identify genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be detected by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, depending on the defect.

It is not always possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually associated with. This may include exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water of communities or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects occur because a doctor did not take the proper steps to treat or prevent an existing medical condition. In these instances medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a birth defect lawyers defect vary depending on its severity and type. Some defects can be addressed before the birth of a baby, while others might require surgery or other medical interventions following the birth of the child.

Some 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. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found and neural tube defects and heart problems. These birth defects are caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be conducted during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later in life when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be conducted via ultrasounds and blood tests. The patient can also undergo genetic tests for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular ailment.

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

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine birth injuries and defects remain a tragic fact. Fortunately, many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child suffering from an issue with their birth that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to talk to an skilled lawyer as soon as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate can help you understand the legal options available to you and pursue compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases of wrongful birth. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we pride ourselves on the quality of service we offer 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 pursuing compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in certain circumstances and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work hard to ensure the best possible outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them to the market, and also warn customers about any possible side effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you can start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.