5 Laws Everybody In Birth Defect Attorneys Should Be Aware Of

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and quarter minutes. These birth defects can impact the lives of those who are affected for the rest of their lives.

The way that cases are classified and identified could lead to an over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect could have long-term health consequences. Birth defects are usually caused by a medical mistake or a doctor's negligence during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be prevented with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In other cases they could be caused by environmental factors like exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, such as the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac, or the inability to supply oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that run in families. These can be diagnosed 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 defects have no cause and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or Birth defect lawyers congenital disorders.

Women who are older than 30 and are of certain ethnicities have a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic diseases may want to consult a genetic counsellor before attempting to conceive. This will help them determine if additional testing is required. Newborn screening tests are able to detect certain conditions, such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function or the structure of the individual. Birth defects can be spotted by a healthcare professional during pregnancy, during birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects, like palates, lips or craniofacial anomalies, are apparent. Some, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries bile to the liver).

Many birth defect issues can be identified by newborn screening tests that check for specific health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic conditions like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be diagnosed by a medical professional via ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the condition.

It is not always possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However the environment is often associated with. This could 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 during delivery. Sometimes birth defects may be due to a physician failing to take appropriate measures to prevent or treat a known medical problem. In these cases medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect is discovered, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the issue. Some can be corrected before the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

Most of the most prevalent defects are the chromosomal. These are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes in a person’s cells. These are usually inherited from parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lips and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. These birth defects are caused by issues with the baby's organ development particularly in the initial three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests are performed during pregnancy, or following birth. They can also be done later in life if symptoms start to appear. These tests can be carried out via ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take an genetic test for birth defects in order to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some birth defects result from complications that happen during pregnancy, while other can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy could cause birth defects. Some birth defects are also due to chemicals that can be found in the environment, including herbicides and Birth Defect lawyers pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine birth injuries and defects are a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child with a birth defect lawyer defect that may have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an skilled lawyer as soon as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can help you comprehend the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and are proud of the quality of service we provide to our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for damages including future and past medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages, in some cases as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family gets the best possible result.

Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them onto the market, and also warn consumers about any possible adverse negative effects. If 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 defect drug lawyer.