A Time-Travelling Journey: How People Talked About Birth Defect Attorneys 20 Years Ago

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and a quarter minutes. These defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of those affected.

Differences in how cases are classified and identified can lead to over- or under-ascertainment of certain types of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review and passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect could cause long-term health issues. Birth defects are usually caused by an error in medicine or a doctor's negligence during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some instances birth defects can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may be the result of complications in pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus or rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the foetus.

Certain birth defects result from genetic diseases that run in families. These can be detected by a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these diseases can be treated or prevented by a doctor, for example PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Some birth defects are not identified as a cause. They are called congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are older than 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at a higher chance of having birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic diseases might want to consult an expert in genetics prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help them determine if additional 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 which can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be detected by a doctor during pregnancy, before birth or in early childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable, like cleft lips and palates, or craniofacial disorders, while others are less conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect issues can be identified through newborn screening tests that look for certain types of health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic conditions like Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always easy to determine the cause of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often involved. This can include exposures to prescription or over the counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the water and air in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a doctor failed to take the proper steps to treat or prevent the occurrence of a medical condition. In these instances medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect is discovered, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the issue. Certain birth defect law firm defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others might require surgery or medical intervention after the baby is born.

A few of the most common problems are the chromosomal. They are caused by missing or extra genes within cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found and neural tube defects and heart problems. These defects are caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs particularly in the initial three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later on in life when symptoms start to show. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some birth defects result from complications that happen during pregnancy, while other are linked to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could cause birth defects. Certain birth defects could be caused by chemicals that are found in the environment. This includes pesticides and herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine birth injuries and defects remain an unsettling fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child who has a birth defect that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's important to speak to an expert lawyer as soon as you can. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help you comprehend your legal options and pursue compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers (Full Statement) has many years of experience dealing with cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only law practice and we pride ourselves on the excellent service we offer our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can assist you in pursuing compensation for damages such as future and Birth defect Lawyers past medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages, in some cases and emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and will work tirelessly to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug manufacturers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them to the market, and also warn consumers about any possible adverse consequences. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect lawyer.