The 10 Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These defects can affect the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

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

Causes

If a baby is born with an injury or defect it could cause serious health problems for the child's life. Birth defects can result from medical negligence or a mistake of a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defects can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other instances, they can result from environmental factors like exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, including the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac, or the inability to supply oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These can be detected by the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Some of these illnesses can be treated or prevented like PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no known reason and are classified as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities have an increased risk of having certain 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 couples decide whether they'll need additional testing. Screening tests for newborns are able to identify certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect organ function or the structure of the individual. birth Defect Attorneys defects can be identified by a doctor birth Defect Attorneys during pregnancy, before birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable, like cleft lips and palates, or craniofacial disorders, while others are less evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for certain types of health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic illnesses such as Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be detected by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the defect.

It's not always it possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This can include exposures to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the water and air in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects arise because a doctor did not make the necessary steps to treat or prevent the occurrence of a medical condition. In these instances the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect are based on the severity and type. Certain defects can be corrected prior to a baby is born, while others might require surgery or other medical interventions after the child is born.

The most frequent disorders are chromosomal. They are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes in a person’s cells. These are often inherited from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and heart problems. These problems are caused by issues with the baby's organ development, particularly in the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a person is born or later in life when symptoms begin to appear. These tests are conducted via ultrasounds and blood tests. One can undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular disease.

Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some are caused by issues that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are caused by certain chemicals that are 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 advancements in medical technology, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Fortunately many birth defects are preventable. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of highly experienced birth defect lawyers have many years of experience in settling wrongful birth claims. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice, and we take pride on the high level of service we offer our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child and your entire family.

We can help you seek compensation for any damages, including the future and past medical costs as well as lost income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them onto the public, and they must inform consumers about any possible adverse effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a medication that is a prescription drug you could start a lawsuit based on product liability with the help of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.