The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and an hour, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects can have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

The way that cases are identified and classified can result in over- or under-ascertainment of certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

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

In some cases, birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In other instances they may be caused by environmental factors like exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may be the result of complications in pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus, rupture of the sac of amniotic fluid or a lack of oxygen in the fetus.

Some birth defects result from genetic disorders which run in families. They can be detected with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain of these ailments, such as PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no known reason and are classified as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases may wish to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to have a baby. This can help them determine if additional testing is required. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any part of the body and can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be detected by a healthcare provider during pregnancy, at birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable like cleft lips or craniofacial anomalies or Birth Defect palates however others are more 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 by newborn screening tests, which look for 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 is also used to identify genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It isn't always possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually implicated. This may include exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water in communities, or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes birth defects may be caused by a medical professional not taking the proper steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical health condition. In these situations, a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect vary depending on the severity and type of birth defect. Certain birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention after the baby is born.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They are typically passed down from the parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lips and neural tube defects, as well as heart issues. These are typically caused by problems during the development of a baby's body organs, especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to a specific condition.

It is not always simple to avoid birth defects. Some birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, while other can be traced back to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Some birth defects can also be due to chemicals that are found in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advancements in medicine birth injuries and defects persist as an unfortunate fact. Many birth defect attorneys defects can be avoided. If you have a child who has a birth defect that may be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is essential to consult an expert lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we are proud on the exceptional service we offer to our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages including past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages, in some cases and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research the case and work diligently to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before putting them on the market and warn consumers of possible adverse reactions. If the birth defects of your child resulted from a drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.