The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and quarter minutes. These defects can affect the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can result in an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system will include active case ascertainment that includes medical record abstraction and a clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could have long-term health effects. Birth defects are usually caused by an error in medicine or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defects can be avoided by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In other instances they may result from environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy like the uterine limit rupture of the amniotic sac, or a lack of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defect attorneys defects result from genetic disorders that are passed down through families. They can be detected with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain of these diseases can be prevented or treated like PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic illness might want to talk to a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. This will help couples determine if they need to undergo further tests. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, Birth defect attorneys like critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, which can be treated as soon as they are identified.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can impact organ function or the structure of a person. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born, or even during the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies and others are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect issues can be identified through newborn screening tests which look for specific health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic disorders like Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It may not always be certain what caused birth defects, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the counter medications, chemical substances that can contaminate the air and water of communities or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes birth defects may be caused by a doctor not taking appropriate steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical condition. In these instances it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a birth defect differ based on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others may require medical intervention or surgery after the baby is born.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, resultant from the absence of or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found or neural tube defects and heart problems. These are typically caused by issues during the growth of the baby's body organs, especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They may also be conducted later in life, if symptoms begin to manifest. The tests can be conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are susceptible to a particular condition.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some birth defect law firms defects are caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, while other can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects are caused by certain chemicals that can be found in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects persist as an unsettling fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child who has an issue with their birth that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to talk to an skilled lawyer as soon as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for your family's losses as well as expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and are proud of the quality of service we offer our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages, in some cases and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family gets the best possible result.

Drug makers are required to thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the market, and to inform consumers of possible adverse reactions. If, however your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug, you could bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.