The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and five minutes, 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.

Different classifications and birth Defect methods of identifying cases can result in an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and a clinical review as well as passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect or injury, it could have serious health effects on the child's health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects could be caused by a medical error or negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defect can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In certain instances birth defects can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can result from complications during pregnancy, including constriction of the uterus or rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack oxygen to the foetus.

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders which run in families. These are easily detected with the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Certain illnesses can be treated or prevented by a doctor, for example PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a reason and are classified as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and are of certain ethnicities have an increased chance of having birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases might want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to get pregnant. This can aid them in determining if further testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborns can help identify certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that can be treated as soon as they are identified.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can alter the way organs function or the structure of a person. Birth defects are often detected by a medical professional during pregnancy, during birth or in early childhood. Certain birth defects, like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies, are visible. Others aren't as obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct which carries an influx of bile to the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be identified through newborn screening tests that check for a variety of health issues. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease are just a few of the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It may not always be possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating air and water in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects arise because a physician failed to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent an existing medical condition. In these situations the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect are based on its severity and type. Some of them can be fixed before the baby is born while others might require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, due to missing or additional genes that are present in the cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips, neural tube defects, and heart issues. These problems are caused by problems with the baby's organ development particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born or later in life when the first signs begin to appear. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. One can also take an inherited test for birth defects to determine whether they are prone to a specific condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, whereas others are linked to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy can result in birth defects. Some birth defects can also be due to chemicals that can be found in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects continue to be an unfortunate fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect may be the result of the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate will help you understand the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling the claims of wrongful birth. Our firm is a plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the quality of service we offer to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue damages, which include past and future medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages in certain circumstances as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family receives the highest possible outcome.

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