The 10 Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys
Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
Every four and five minutes, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects can have a lasting effect on the lives of the affected.
Different classifications and identifiers of cases may result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system employs active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.
Causes
If a baby is born with a defect, injury or other it could have serious health effects on the child's future. Birth defects could be caused by a medical error or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.
In some cases birth defects is prevented by prenatal care and good nutrition. In some instances birth defects may be caused through environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. birth defect lawsuits defects can also be the result of complications that happen during pregnancy such as the uterine restriction, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).
Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders which run in families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these ailments can be treated or prevented, such as PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Some birth defects are not known to be the cause. They are known as congenital disorders, or congenital anomalies.
Women who are older than 30 and of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic disorders might want to talk to an expert in genetics prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help them determine if further tests are required. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that can be treated as soon as they are identified.
Diagnosis
A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part which affects the way organs work or the structure of the body. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born, or even during early childhood. Some birth defects, like palates, lips, or craniofacial abnormalities, are easily visible. Others aren't as obvious, such as congenital cardiac disease and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct, which transports an influx of bile to the liver).
Many birth defects are diagnosed through newborn screening tests, which check for specific health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be detected by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the condition.
It's not always certain what caused birth defects, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the water and air in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects arise because a doctor failed to make the necessary steps to prevent or treat an illness that is known to be medically prone. In these situations there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.
Treatment
When a birth defect has been identified, the options for treatment vary depending on the type and severity of the issue. Certain birth defect law firms defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.
Most of the most prevalent problems are chromosomal. They are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes in the cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart issues. These defects are caused due to problems with the development of organs in the baby particularly during the first three month of pregnancy.
Screening tests for birth defects may be done during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later in life when symptoms start to show. The tests can be conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. One can undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.
Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some birth defects result from complications that can occur during pregnancy, while other are linked to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could result in birth defects. Certain birth defects could be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. This includes pesticides as well as herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.
Compensation
Despite recent advances in medical science birth injuries and defects persist as a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child suffering from a birth defect that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an expert lawyer as soon as possible. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.
Our team of knowledgeable birth defect (reese-Joyce-2.blogbright.net) lawyers has years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we pride ourselves on the high level of service we provide to our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can focus on your child, you and your family.
We can assist you in pursuing damages, which include future and past medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages in some instances and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and work hard to ensure the best possible outcome for your family.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the market and warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If, however your child's birth defect was caused by a medication that is a prescription drug you could bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.