15 Gifts For The Birth Defect Attorneys Lover In Your Life

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Differences in how cases are classified and identified can result in the over- or under-ascertainment certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and clinical review in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with a defect or injury can be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects are often caused by a medical mistake or a medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In some cases, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy such as constriction of the uterus, rupture of the amniotic sac, or a lack of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. These are easily detected with a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these ailments, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no cause and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are older than 30 and of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic diseases might want to talk to a genetic counselor prior to get pregnant. This can help them determine if additional testing is needed. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can alter organ function or the structure of a person. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips or craniofacial anomalies or palates however others are more conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified through newborn screening tests, which are designed to detect certain health issues. PKU Congenital Hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to identify genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It may not always be possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. These include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a doctor failing to take the appropriate measures to avoid or treat a medical health condition. In these instances there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect attorneys defect vary depending on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require medical intervention or surgery after the baby is born.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. resulting from missing or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart issues. These birth defects are caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be done during pregnancy, after a child is born or later in life, when symptoms begin to show. The tests can be carried out via ultrasounds and blood tests. A person can also have genetic tests for birth defects in order to determine if they are predisposed to a particular ailment.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some birth defects result from complications that occur during pregnancy, whereas others can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy could cause birth defects. Some birth defects are also 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 recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Thankfully most birth defects can be avoided. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney will help you understand your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience dealing with cases of birth defects that are not correct. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we pride ourselves on the quality of service we offer to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages when necessary, and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the situation and work hard to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.

Drug manufacturers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and inform consumers of any possible side consequences. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you can bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.