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 defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of the affected.

Different classifications and types of cases could result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may cause long-term health issues. Birth defects are often caused by a medical mistake or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defect attorney defects can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other cases they could result from environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy like the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that are passed down through families. They can be identified by a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these illnesses can be treated or prevented, such as PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Some birth defects aren't known to have a cause. They are known as congenital disorders or congenital abnormalities.

Women over 30 and of certain ethnicities have an increased chance of having birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to have a baby. This will aid them in determining if further tests are required. Newborn screening tests are able to detect certain conditions such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any part of the body, affecting the way that organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be identified by a healthcare professional during pregnancy, during birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates or craniofacial defects, are obvious. Others, however, are less obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct, which transports bile to the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for certain health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are among the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be detected by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the defect.

It is not always possible to determine the root of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often implicated. These include 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. Other times birth defects may be caused by a medical professional not taking the proper steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these cases, a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect attorney defect is recognized, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the problem. Certain birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

Some of the most common problems are the chromosomal. They are caused by missing or extra genes within cells of a person. These are often inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lips and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. They are typically caused by issues with the development of a baby's organs, specifically in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later in life when the first signs begin to appear. These tests can be conducted via ultrasounds and blood tests. A person can also have an genetic test for birth defects to determine whether they are susceptible to a certain condition.

It's not always easy to avoid birth defects. Some birth defects result from complications that can occur during pregnancy, whereas other are linked to environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects could be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. These include pesticides and herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries remain a tragic reality. Thankfully, many birth defects are preventable. If you have a child that has a birth defect that may have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice, birth defect and we take pride on the quality of service we offer to our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on yourself, your child, and your family.

We can help you seek damages, which include future and past medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in certain circumstances and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and then work to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug manufacturers are expected to test their products thoroughly before putting them on the market and warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If your child's birth defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication you may be able to start a lawsuit based on product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.