The 10 Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and five minutes, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These defects can alter the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

Different classifications and identifications of cases may result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect or injury it could cause serious health issues for the child's future. Birth defects are often caused by an error birth defect attorneys in medicine or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In other cases they may be the result of environmental factors like exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that happen during pregnancy like uterine constraint rupture of the amniotic sac, birth defect attorneys or the inability to supply oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic diseases that run in families. They can be identified by an ultrasound or blood test. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no known origin and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of developing birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic disorders might want to talk to a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. This will aid them in determining if further testing is needed. Screening tests for newborns can be used to determine certain conditions, like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part which affects the way organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be detected by a healthcare professional during pregnancy, before birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects, like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies, are apparent. Other birth defects, however, are not as obvious, such as congenital cardiac disease and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct, which transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed through newborn screening tests, which check for specific health issues. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic disorders like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can easily be identified by a medical professional via ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the condition.

It's not always it possible to pinpoint the cause of the birth defect, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. These include exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, Birth defect Attorneys defects occur because a doctor failed to make the necessary steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these situations, a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect are based on the severity and type of birth defect. Certain defects can be corrected prior to the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

Most of the most prevalent problems are the chromosomal. These are caused by missing or extra genes that are present in cells of a person. They usually come from the parents. These include cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and heart issues. These defects are caused due to issues with the development of organs in the baby particularly during the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests are performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They can also be done later in life if symptoms begin to manifest. The tests can be carried out through ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take an genetic test for birth defects to see if they are predisposed to a particular condition.

It's not always easy to avoid birth defects. Some are caused by issues that occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to certain environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by the usage of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are also linked to certain chemicals that are present in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advancements in medicine birth injuries and defects remain an unfortunate fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect may have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. A compassionate and knowledgeable 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 knowledgeable birth defect lawyers have many years of experience in settling cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only company and are proud of the level of service that we provide to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for damages, including future and past medical expenses and lost income, as well as punitive damage in some cases as well as emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the highest possible outcome.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to test their products thoroughly prior to releasing them onto the market and to warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may be able to bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defects drug lawyer.