Five People You Need To Know In The Birth Defect Attorneys Industry

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of those affected.

Differences in how cases are classified and identified can lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system employs active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If a baby is born with an injury or defect it could have serious health consequences for the child's life. Birth defects could be caused by medical errors or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defects can be prevented with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In certain instances birth defects can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects are also caused by complications that occur during pregnancy such as 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 are caused by genetic diseases that run in families. These can be detected 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 cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic diseases might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior firm to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they'll need additional testing. Newborn screening tests are able to detect certain conditions such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part which affects the way organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be detected by a doctor during pregnancy, before birth or even in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial abnormalities, are apparent. Some, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct, which transports bile to the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for a variety of health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It may not always be possible to know what caused the birth defect, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a physician failed to make the necessary steps to treat or prevent a known medical condition. In these situations there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect can vary based on the severity and nature of the defect. Some birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention following the birth of the baby.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are typically passed down from parents. These include cleft lips and neural tube defects and heart problems. These birth defects are caused by issues with the development of the baby's organs especially in the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy or after birth. They are also able to be done later on in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. A person may also undergo an inherited test for birth defects to see whether they are predisposed to a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Some birth defects result from complications that arise during pregnancy, while other can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are caused by certain chemicals that are found in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medical science, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Thankfully the majority of birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child with an issue with their birth that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's essential to consult an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable will help you understand the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers has years of experience handling cases of wrongful birth. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice, and we take pride on the excellent service we offer to our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, you, and your family.

We can help you pursue damages, which include future and past medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages in some instances, and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and then work to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug manufacturers are expected to thoroughly test their products prior to releasing them onto the market and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If the birth defects of your child resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you can bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer.