The 10 Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Different ways in which cases are classified and identified could lead to over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with a defect or injury it can have serious health consequences for the child's health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects are usually caused by an error in medical care or a medical error birth defect attorneys made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defect can be avoided through taking care of your baby and eating well. In some cases, birth defects can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can result from complications in pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus, rupture the sac of amniotic fluid or a lack of oxygen to the foetus.

Certain birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that run in families. These are easily detected with an ultrasound or blood test. Some of these illnesses can be treated or prevented with the help of a specialist, such as PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to conceive. This can help couples decide if they need to undergo additional testing. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, which are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can alter organ function or the structure of the person. Birth defects are often detected by a healthcare professional during pregnancy, during birth or in the early stages of childhood. Certain birth defect attorney defects, such as palates, lips or craniofacial defects, are visible. Some, however, aren't as obvious as congenital cardiac disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be detected through newborn screening tests that look for certain types of health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be identified by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, depending on the defect.

It's not always possible to know what caused the birth defect, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. These include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the air and water in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a doctor did not take the proper steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these situations, a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a birth defect attorneys defect differ based on its severity and type. Some birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

A few of the most common issues are chromosomal. These are caused by missing or extra genes within cells of a person. These are often inherited from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and heart problems. These are typically caused by issues with the growth of the baby's organs and tissues, particularly during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Screening tests may be performed during pregnancy, or after birth. They can also be done later in life if symptoms start to appear. The tests can be conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo an genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are prone to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some are due to complications that arise during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy can result in birth defects. Certain birth defects are due to chemicals that can be found in the environment, Birth defect attorneys 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 defects and injuries remain a tragic fact. Fortunately the majority of birth defects can be prevented. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect the birth defect could be due to the negligence of medical experts. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in settling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we pride ourselves on the excellent service we provide to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for damages, such as the future and past medical costs, lost income, damages for punitive in certain circumstances as well as emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and then work to ensure the best outcome for your family.

Drug makers must thoroughly test their products before releasing their products to the public, and they must inform consumers about any potential side effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defects drug lawyer.