Its History Of 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 defects can alter the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

Different classifications and identifications of cases can lead to an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case ascertainment, which 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 can be caused by a medical error or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be prevented through the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In other cases they may result from environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, including the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac or the lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that are passed down through families. They can be detected with tests for blood or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects are not known to have a reason and are classified as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and of certain ethnicities have a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic illnesses may consider seeing a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they'll need additional tests. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions, such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function, or the structure of the individual. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born or in early childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious such as cleft lips and palates or craniofacial anomalies however others are more noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be identified by newborn screening tests which look for certain types of health issues. PKU Congenital Hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are among the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can easily be identified by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the condition.

It's not always easy to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However the environment is often involved. These include exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are the result because a physician failed to make the necessary steps to prevent or treat an existing medical condition. In these instances medical malpractice claims could be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect is diagnosed, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the defect. Some can be corrected before a baby is born, while others might require surgery or other medical interventions following the birth defect law firm of the child.

The most frequent 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 birth defects include things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. These defects are caused by issues with the baby's organ development especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later on in life when symptoms begin to appear. These tests are conducted by ultrasounds or birth Defect Lawyers blood tests. One can also take an inherited test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some are caused by issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by consumption of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are due to chemicals that are present in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance 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 a tragic fact. Thankfully the majority of birth defect lawyers defects are preventable. If you have a child who has a birth defect that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is essential to consult an skilled lawyer as soon as you can. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you comprehend your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience handling wrongful birth cases. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and are proud of the level of service that we provide 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 pursuing compensation for damages such as past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages when necessary and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and work diligently to ensure the best outcome for your family.

Drug makers are required to test their products thoroughly prior to releasing them onto the market and to warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If, however, your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you may be able to make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.