The 10 Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These defects can affect the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

Different classifications and identifications of cases could result in an under- or overestimated number 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's future. Birth defects are often the result of medical error or mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defect lawsuit defects can be avoided by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some cases birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth problems can be caused by complications during pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus or rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a lack of oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that run in families. These are easily detected with a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic diseases might consider consulting an expert in genetics prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help couples determine if they need to undergo further testing. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

A Birth Defect attorney defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part, affecting the way that organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be identified by a healthcare provider during the pregnancy process, at birth, or in the early stages of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious like cleft lips, craniofacial anomalies or palates while others are less evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be identified through newborn screening tests which look for specific health problems. PKU 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 identify genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It isn't always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually involved. This can include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that can contaminate the air and water in communities or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Other times birth defects could be the result of a doctor failing to take the appropriate measures to prevent or treat a known medical health condition. In these instances there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect can vary based on the severity and nature of the defect. Some of them can be fixed before a baby is born, while others may require surgery or other medical interventions following the birth of the child.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, resultant from the absence of or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. They are typically passed down from parents. These include cleft lips, neural tube defects, and heart issues. These defects are caused due to problems with the development of the baby's organs particularly in the initial three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests may be performed during pregnancy, or after birth. They can also be performed later in life, if symptoms start to appear. These tests can be conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have an genetic test for birth defects in order to determine if they are predisposed to a particular ailment.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, whereas other can be linked to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defect law firms defects can also be linked to chemicals found in the environment. These include pesticides and herbalicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects are an unfortunate fact. Thankfully most birth defects are preventable. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect may be due to the negligence of medical experts. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has many years of experience handling wrongful birth cases. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, yourself, and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for your losses, which could include future and past medical expenses loss of income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases as well as emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and will work tirelessly to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug manufacturers are expected to test their products thoroughly before putting them on the market and to inform consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If, however, your child's birth defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication you may be able to make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.