The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Birth Defect Attorneys
Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.
The way that cases are classified and identified 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 abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.
Causes
A baby born with an injury or defect may have long-term health consequences. Birth defects are often the result of a medical mistake or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.
In some cases, birth defects can be prevented with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In some instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can be caused by complications in pregnancy, such as uterine constriction, rupture of the amniotic sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the fetus.
Some birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that run in families. These can be identified with a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no known cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.
Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities have an increased risk for some birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illness may consider seeing an expert in genetics prior birth defect attorney to trying to become pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they require further tests. Screening tests for newborns can be used to detect certain conditions like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that can be treated right away.
Diagnosis
Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function or the structure of a person. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born or during early childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious, like cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities, while others are less noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).
Many birth defect conditions are identified by newborn screening tests which look for some kinds of health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic illnesses such as Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the type of defect.
It's not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often implicated. This may include exposure to prescription or over-the counter medicines, chemical substances that pollute water and air in communities or a problem during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defect attorney defects happen due to a medical professional failing to take the proper steps to prevent or treat the occurrence of a medical condition. In these situations it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice might be filed.
Treatment
If a birth defect is identified, the options for treatment vary depending on the type and severity of the problem. Certain birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others might require surgery or medical intervention after the baby is born.
Most of the most prevalent problems are the chromosomal. They are caused by missing or extra genes in the cells of a person. They are typically inherited from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart issues. These are typically caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs and tissues, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later in life when the first signs begin to appear. These tests can be carried out by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo a genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a certain condition.
Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some are caused by issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced back to certain environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can result in birth defects. Certain birth defects are caused by certain chemicals that can be found in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.
Compensation
Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries are still a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be avoided. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that the birth defect could have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate will help you understand the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for your family's losses as well as expenses.
Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases of wrongful birth. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take pride in the quality of service we provide our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.
We can help you pursue compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages, in some cases, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate the situation and work hard to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.
Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them on the public, and they must inform customers about any possible side effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you can bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.