15 Secretly Funny People Working In Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Differences in how cases are identified and classified could lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect or injury it could cause serious health issues for the child for life. Birth defects are often the result of an error in medicine or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be prevented with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In some cases birth defects can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can result from complications during pregnancy, including constriction of the uterus, rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the fetus.

Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders that run in families. They can be detected through an ultrasound or blood test. Some of these illnesses like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women who are over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will aid them in determining if further testing is required. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

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

Many birth defects are detected by newborn screening tests, that look for specific health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Some Birth Defect Law Firms defects can be detected by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, depending on the type of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the source of a birth defect. However the environment is often implicated. These include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the water and air in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects occur because a doctor did not take the proper steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

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

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, resultant from the absence of or extra genes in a person's cells. These are typically passed down from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart issues. They are typically caused by problems during the growth of the baby's organs, specifically during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy or after birth. They are also able to be done later in life, if symptoms begin to show. These tests can be conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have a genetic test for birth defects to see if they are predisposed to a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Some birth defects result from complications that happen during pregnancy, while other can be linked to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could cause birth defects. Certain birth defects may be caused by chemicals that are found in the environment. This includes pesticides as well as herbalicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medical science, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Thankfully many birth defects can be avoided. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect may be due to the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and are proud of the quality of service we provide to our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, you and your entire family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for damages including past and future medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages when necessary as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to test their products thoroughly before putting them on the market and warn consumers of potential side effects. If, however your child's birth defect was caused by a medication that is a prescription drug you may be able to make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect attorney defects lawyer for drugs.