The 10 Most Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and a half minutes, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects can have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

Different classifications and methods of identifying cases can lead to an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If a baby is born with a defect, injury or other it can cause serious health problems for the child's health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects can be caused by an error in medicine or the negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defect is prevented by the prenatal care and birth Defect Attorneys a healthy diet. In other cases, they can be the result of environmental factors such as exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects are also caused by complications that happen during pregnancy like the uterine limit, birth defect attorneys rupture of the amniotic sac or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These can be identified with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Certain birth defects aren't known to have a cause. They are known as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at an increased chance of developing birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may wish to consult a genetic counsellor before attempting to have a baby. This will help them determine if additional testing is required. Screening tests for newborns can reveal some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part which can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be detected by a doctor during pregnancy, at birth or in the early stages of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious, like cleft lips and craniofacial anomalies or palates however others are more obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be detected through newborn screening tests that look for specific health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic illnesses such as Down syndrome. A doctor can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and 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 involved. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water of communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a physician failed to take the proper steps to prevent or treat the occurrence of a medical condition. In these cases it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect is identified, the options for treatment vary depending on the type and severity of the defect. Certain birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, due to missing or additional genes in a person's cells. These are typically passed down from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found, neural tube defects, and heart issues. These problems are caused by issues with the development of the baby's organs particularly during the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests are performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They may also be conducted later in life if signs begin to manifest. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can have a genetic test for birth Defect attorneys defects to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some are caused by complications that arise during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced to certain environmental elements. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. Certain birth defects could be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science birth injuries and defects remain a tragic fact. Many birth defect lawsuits defects can be avoided. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect may be the result of the negligence of medical experts. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience dealing with cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the excellent service we offer our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on yourself, your child and your entire family.

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

Drug manufacturers are expected to adequately test their products prior to releasing them onto the market and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If, however your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you could bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.