The 10 Scariest 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 defect lawyers defects can have a lasting effect on the lives of the affected.

Different classifications and types of cases can lead to an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect or injury it can have serious health effects on the child for life. Birth defects can result from medical errors or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be prevented by taking care of your baby and eating well. In other cases they could result from environmental factors such as exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may be the result of complications during pregnancy, like uterine constriction, rupture of amniotic fluid's sac or a lack of oxygen in the fetus.

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders which run in families. These can be diagnosed with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects are not known to have a origin and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic disorders might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This will help them determine if further testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions, such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function, or the structure of the person. Birth defects can be identified by a healthcare provider during pregnancy, at birth or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, such as palates, lips or craniofacial anomalies, are obvious. Other birth defects, however, are not as obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries bile to the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for some kinds of health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It may not always be it possible to pinpoint the cause of birth defects, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This can include exposure to prescription or over-the counter drugs, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water in communities, or complications during pregnancy or the 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 claims may be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect has been discovered, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the defect. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born while others might require surgery or other medical procedures following the birth of the child.

Most of the most prevalent problems are chromosomal. They are caused by missing or excess genes within cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. These birth defects are caused by issues with the baby's organ development particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for Birth Defect birth defects may be performed during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo a genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a particular condition.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Certain birth defects result from complications that can occur during pregnancy, whereas others can be linked to environmental factors. Birth defects are often caused by the use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are also linked to certain chemicals that can be found in the 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 defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Fortunately most birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child with an anomaly in the birth process that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to talk to an skilled lawyer as soon as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for your family's losses as well as expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice, and we take pride on the exceptional service we offer 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 damages such as past and future medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages in some instances, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible result.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them onto the market, and inform consumers of any possible side effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may be able to start a lawsuit based on product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.