Birth Defect Attorneys: What No One Is Talking About

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 birth defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.

Variations in the way cases are classified and identified can result in the over- or under-ascertainment certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system will include active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and a clinical review as well as passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects are often caused by medical error or mistake made by 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 harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that happen during pregnancy like the uterine limit rupture of the amniotic sac, or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases that are passed down through families. They can be identified by a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these illnesses like PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no known cause and are known as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at an increased chance of having birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illnesses might consider consulting a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they require additional tests. Newborn screening tests are able to detect certain conditions, like congenital defects 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 affect organ function or the structure of a person. A healthcare professional can spot birth defect attorneys defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible, like cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities while others are less noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed through newborn screening tests which check for specific health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating the air and water in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or birth. Other times, birth defects are due to a physician not taking the proper steps to prevent or treat a known medical disease. In these instances medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

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

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal, due to missing or additional genes in a person's cells. These are often inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip and Birth Defects neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. These birth defects are caused by problems with the baby's organ development particularly during the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be done during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later on in life, when symptoms begin to show. The tests can be conducted via ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take a genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are prone to a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, whereas others are linked to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Some birth defects are also due to 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 recent advancements in medicine, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Fortunately most birth defects are preventable. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical experts. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a plaintiffs-only company and take great pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on yourself, your child and your entire family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for your losses, which could include future and past medical expenses and lost income, as well as punitive damage in some cases as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and will work tirelessly to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug makers are required to adequately test their products before putting them on the market, and to inform consumers of possible adverse reactions. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect lawyer.