The 10 Most Terrifying 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 defects can alter the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

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

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may have long-term health consequences. Birth defects can be caused by an error in medicine or the negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and birth defect Attorney the right nutrition. In certain instances birth defects may be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can be caused by complications during pregnancy, including uterine constriction, rupture of the sac of amniotic fluid or a deficiency of oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic diseases that run in families. They can be detected through an ultrasound test or a blood test. Some of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Some birth defects are not known to be the cause. They are referred to as congenital conditions, or congenital abnormalities.

Women over 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic diseases may wish to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. This can help them determine if further tests are required. Newborn screening tests are able to identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any part of the body and can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be identified by a healthcare professional during the pregnancy process, at birth, or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible such as cleft lips and palates, or craniofacial disorders however others are more noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be detected by newborn screening tests, that look for specific health issues. PKU Congenital Hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It isn't always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually implicated. This can be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water of communities, or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects occur because a doctor failed to take the proper steps to treat or prevent an illness that is known to be medically prone. In these cases medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect vary depending on the severity and type of birth defect. Some of them can be fixed before the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical procedures following the birth of the child.

The most frequent disorders are chromosomal. These are caused by extra or missing genes that are present in cells of a person. They are typically passed down from the parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. These problems are caused by issues with the organ development of the baby especially in the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests are performed during pregnancy, or after birth. They may also be conducted later in life, if symptoms begin to show. The tests can be conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may undergo a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to a particular disease.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some are due to complications that happen during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could lead to birth defects. Certain birth defect lawyers defects are caused by certain chemicals that can be found in the natural environment, including pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medical technology, birth defect Attorney defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child with a birth defect that may have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is essential to consult an experienced lawyer as quickly as you can. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and pursue compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers have many years of experience in settling cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take great pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on yourself, your child, and your family.

We can assist you in pursuing damages, which include future and past medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages, in some cases as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Drug manufacturers are expected to test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market and warn consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a prescription drug, you may start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.