Think You re Ready To Start Doing Birth Defect Attorneys Check This Quiz

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Different classifications and identifications of cases may result in an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system will include active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and a clinical review and passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may have long-term health consequences. Birth defects could be caused by medical errors or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defect can be avoided through the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In other instances, they can result from environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects are also caused by complications that arise during pregnancy like uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac, or a lack of oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects result from genetic diseases which run in families. These can be detected by an ultrasound test or a blood test. Some of these illnesses can be prevented or treated with the help of a specialist, such as PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no known cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women who are older than 30 and those of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illnesses may consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they should undergo further tests. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, which can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can alter organ function or the structure of a person. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born or during early childhood. Certain birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates or craniofacial defects, are visible. Other birth defects, however, are less obvious, birth defect lawyers such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed by newborn screening tests which are designed to detect certain health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can easily be identified by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the defect.

It's not always it possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect, however it is usually linked to environmental factors. This can include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water of communities, or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen due to a medical professional failing to make the necessary steps to prevent or treat an existing medical condition. In these instances, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect is diagnosed, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention after the baby is born.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal, resultant from the absence of or extra genes in a person's cells. They usually come from the parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found, neural tube defects, and heart problems. They are typically caused by issues with the development of the baby's organs, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests are performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They can also be performed later on in life when symptoms start to appear. The tests can be carried out through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to a particular disease.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some are due to issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects may be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects continue to be a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child that has a birth defect that may have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it's crucial to consult an skilled lawyer as soon as you can. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice attorney will help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience dealing with cases of birth defects that are not correct. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we are proud on the exceptional service we offer our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you obtain compensation for damages, including future and past medical expenses loss of income, punitive damages in certain instances as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and work hard to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and warn consumers about any potential side consequences. If, however your child's birth defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication, you could bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.