The 10 Most Scariest 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 birth defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

Differences in how cases are classified and identified can lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain subtypes of Birth Defect Attorneys defects. A well-designed system will include active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and clinical review as well as passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with an injury or defect it could have serious health consequences for the child's life. Birth defects are usually caused by a medical mistake or a doctor's negligence during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defect is prevented by prenatal care and good nutrition. In certain instances birth defects may be caused through environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can be caused by complications during pregnancy, like uterine constriction, rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack oxygen to the fetus.

Certain birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These can be identified with tests for blood or an ultrasound. Certain of these ailments, such as PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Certain birth defects aren't known to be the cause. They are known as congenital conditions, or congenital abnormalities.

Women who are older than 30 and those of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic illness might want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. This can help them determine if additional testing is needed. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, which can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

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

Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests that look for specific health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to identify genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can easily be identified by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the type of defect.

It's not always easy to determine the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually involved. These include exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects occur because a physician failed to take the appropriate steps to prevent or treat an illness that is known to be medically prone. In these instances medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect has been recognized, the treatment options vary depending on the type and Birth defect attorneys severity of the issue. Certain birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal, caused by missing or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from the parents. The most common structural defects are cleft lips, neural tube defects, and heart issues. These birth defects are caused by problems with the development of organs in the baby particularly in the initial three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They can also be performed later in life if signs begin to manifest. These tests are conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take an inherited test for birth defects in order to determine if they are predisposed to a particular ailment.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Some are caused by complications that arise during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to specific environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Some birth defects can also be linked to chemicals found in the environment. This includes pesticides as well as herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Thankfully many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child suffering from an anomaly in the birth process that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an expert lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help you understand your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers has many years of experience handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we are proud on the excellent service we provide to our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can focus on yourself, your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for damages, such as past and future medical costs, lost income, punitive damages in certain instances, and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research your case and will work tirelessly to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug makers are required to thoroughly test their products before putting them on market and to warn consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If your child's birth defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication you could file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.