Birth Defect Attorneys: What s The Only Thing Nobody Has Discussed

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 defects can alter the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

Variations in the way cases are classified and identified could lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain types 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

A baby born with an injury or defect may have long-term health effects. Birth defects can result from medical negligence or a mistake of a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defect can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other instances, they can be the result of environmental factors like exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects are also caused by complications that arise during pregnancy like the uterine limit, rupture of the amniotic sac or the lack 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 a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Other birth defect attorneys defects have no origin and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of having certain birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illnesses might want to talk to a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help couples determine if they need to undergo additional testing. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that can be treated as soon as they are identified.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function, or the structure of the individual. Birth defects can be detected by a healthcare provider during pregnancy, during birth or even in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious like cleft lips, craniofacial abnormalities and others are not as conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests which are designed to detect certain health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to identify genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be detected by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the defect.

It may not always be possible to know what caused birth defects, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water of communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects occur because a doctor failed to make the necessary steps to prevent or treat an existing medical condition. In these instances there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

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

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart problems. These defects are caused due to issues with the organ development of the baby particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be performed during pregnancy, or following birth. They are also able to be done later in life if signs start to appear. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

It's not always easy to prevent Birth defect law Firms defects. Some are due to complications that happen during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Some birth defects can also be linked to the presence of chemicals 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 the recent advances in medical science, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect the birth defect could have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help you comprehend your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with wrongful birth claims. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the high level of service we offer to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue damages, which include future and past medical expenses and Birth defect Law firms income loss, punitive damages in certain circumstances and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the situation and work hard to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible outcome.

Drug makers are required to test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If your child's birth defect lawsuits defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you can make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.