The 10 Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys
Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and a quarter minutes. These birth defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.
Different classifications and types of cases may result in an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case assessment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review as well as passive reporting.
Causes
When a baby is born with a defect or injury, it could cause serious health issues for the child's future. Birth defects could be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of a doctor during pregnancy.
In some instances, birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some cases birth defects can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects are also caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, including uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac or the lack of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).
Certain birth defects are caused by genetic diseases that run in families. They can be identified by an ultrasound or blood test. Some of these illnesses can be prevented or treated, such as PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Some birth defects are not known to have a cause. They are known as congenital disorders, also known as congenital abnormalities.
Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are more at risk of risk of having birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic diseases may wish to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to have a baby. This will help couples determine whether they'll need further tests. Newborn screening tests are able to identify certain conditions, such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that can be treated immediately.
Diagnosis
Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can alter the way organs function, or the structure of the person. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born, or even during early childhood. Certain birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates or craniofacial defects, are visible. Others are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct, which transports the bile to the liver).
Many birth defects can be identified through newborn screening tests, that look for specific health issues. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease are just a few of the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic conditions like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.
It may not always be certain what caused a birth defect, however it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating air and water in communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes birth defects may be the result of a doctor failing to take the appropriate measures to avoid or treat a medical health condition. In these instances there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.
Treatment
When a birth defect has been diagnosed, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Certain defects can be corrected prior to the baby is born while others might require surgery or other medical procedures following the birth of the child.
A few of the most common problems are the chromosomal. These are caused by missing or excess genes in a person’s cells. They are typically inherited from parents. These include cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and heart issues. They are typically caused by issues during the development of the baby's organs, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests may be performed during pregnancy, or following birth. They can also be done later in life if signs start to appear. These tests can be done through ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take a genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are prone to a particular ailment.
It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Certain birth defects result from complications that occur during pregnancy, whereas other can be traced back to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may result in birth Defect Attorneys defects. Some birth defects can be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.
Compensation
Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries remain a tragic fact. Many birth defect attorneys defects can be avoided. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical experts. An empathetic and birth defect attorneys experienced medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.
Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we are proud on the high level of service we provide to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.
We can help you obtain compensation for your losses, which could include the future and past medical costs, lost income, damages for punitive in certain circumstances, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the situation and work hard to ensure that your family gets the best possible result.
Manufacturers of drugs are required to test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and to inform consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If, however your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you may bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.