10 Things Everyone Hates About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and a half minutes, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects can impact the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

Differences in how cases are identified and classified could lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain types of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system employs 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 defects can be caused by an error in medicine or the negligence of the doctor birth defect during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be prevented by proper nutrition and prenatal care. In certain instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can result from complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus, rupture the amniotic fluid sac or a lack oxygen to the foetus.

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that are passed down through families. These can be identified with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these ailments can be prevented or treated, such as PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no origin and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are more at risk of risk of having birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help them determine if further tests are required. Screening tests for newborns can help identify certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function, or the structure of the person. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or during early childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious, like cleft lips and palates, or craniofacial disorders, while others are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

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

It is not always possible to determine the root of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually implicated. These 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 the birth. Sometimes, birth defects arise because a doctor failed to make the necessary steps to treat or prevent the occurrence of a medical condition. In these instances, a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

When a birth defect has been recognized, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the condition. Some can be corrected before the birth of a baby, while others might require surgery or other medical interventions after the baby is born.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are typically passed down from parents. The most common structural defects are cleft lips or neural tube defects and heart problems. These are typically caused by problems during the development of a baby's organs and tissues, particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They can also be performed later on in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds and blood tests. A person can also have an inherited test for birth defects to determine whether they are predisposed to a particular condition.

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

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science birth injuries and defects persist as a tragic fact. Fortunately the majority of birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child with an anomaly in the birth process that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's crucial to consult an experienced lawyer as quickly as possible. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer will help you understand your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience handling wrongful birth cases. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take pride in the level of service that we provide to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for any damages, including past and future medical costs and lost income, as well as punitive damage in some cases as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research the case and work diligently to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible result.

Drug makers are required to test their products thoroughly before putting them on the market and to warn consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If, however, your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.