Birth Defect Attorneys Explained In Less Than 140 Characters

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and a quarter minutes. These defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

Variations in the way cases are identified and classified can lead to an over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect, injury or other it can cause serious health problems for the child's life. Birth defects are usually the result of medical error or medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.

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

Certain birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that are passed down through families. They can be detected with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses can be treated or prevented like PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no known reason and are classified as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic diseases might want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to have a baby. This will help couples determine if they need to undergo further tests. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any part of the body which can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born or in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable like cleft lips, craniofacial anomalies or palates while others are less conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed by newborn screening tests which look for certain health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It may not always be possible to determine the cause of a birth defect, however it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a physician failed to take the proper steps to treat or prevent an illness that is known to be medically prone. In these cases the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect lawsuits defect are based on the severity and type of birth defect lawyers defect. Certain defects can be corrected prior to the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical procedures after the baby is born.

Some of the most common disorders are chromosomal. They are caused by missing or excess genes within cells of a person. These are usually inherited from the parents. Structural defects include cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and heart issues. They are usually caused by issues during the development of the baby's organs, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a child is born or later in life when the first signs begin to appear. The tests can be conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. One can undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed towards a particular condition.

It is not always simple to avoid birth defects. Certain birth defects result from complications that arise during pregnancy, while other can be traced to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy could lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are due to chemicals that are found in the 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 remain a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be avoided. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical experts. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of experienced Birth defect lawyer defect lawyers has many years of experience dealing with cases of wrongful birth. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice, and we take pride on the excellent service we provide to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in some instances 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 outcome.

Manufacturers of drugs are required to thoroughly test their products prior to releasing them onto the market, and to inform consumers of the potential adverse effects. If, however, your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you could bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.