5 Cliches About Birth Defect Attorneys You Should Stay Clear Of

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

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

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect could cause long-term health issues. birth defect law firms - http://en.easypanme.com/board/bbs/board.php?bo_table=business&wr_id=1468739, defects are often the result of an error in medical care or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other instances, they can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxins. Birth problems can be caused by complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus, rupture amniotic fluid's sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. These can be identified with tests for blood or an ultrasound. Certain of these diseases are treatable or preventable like PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Certain birth defects aren't identified as a cause. They are called congenital disorders, or congenital abnormalities.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at a higher chance of developing birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic diseases might want to talk to a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they should undergo additional tests. Newborn screening tests are able to detect certain conditions like critical congenital defects and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

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

Many birth defect conditions are identified through newborn screening tests that check for a variety of health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and Birth Defect Law Firms sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic disorders like Down syndrome. A doctor can detect some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It's not always easy to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually associated with. These include exposure to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute air and water in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or during delivery. Other times birth defects can be due to a physician not taking the proper steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical health condition. In these situations there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect can vary based on the severity and type. Certain birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, resulting from missing or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are often inherited from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and heart problems. These are typically caused by issues with the development of the baby's organs and tissues, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They can also be done later on in life when symptoms begin to manifest. These tests can be carried out by ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take an inherited test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a certain condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some are due to issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced back to specific environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. Certain birth defects may be linked to chemicals found in the environment. This includes pesticides and herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects are an unsettling fact. Fortunately most birth defects are preventable. If you have a child with an issue with their birth that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is crucial to consult an skilled lawyer as soon as possible. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer will help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience handling wrongful birth claims. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the high level of service we offer to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking damages, which include future and past medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages in some instances, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and will work tirelessly to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before putting them on market and to inform consumers of the potential adverse effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you can bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.