17 Signs To Know You Work With Birth Defect Attorneys
Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and quarter minutes. These defects can affect the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.
The way that cases are identified and classified could lead to over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defect attorney defects. A well-designed system can include active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review and 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 an error in medicine or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.
In some instances birth defects can be avoided by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In some cases birth defects can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth problems can be caused by complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus, rupture amniotic fluid's sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the fetus.
Some birth defects result from genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These can be identified with tests for blood or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses like PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no cause and are known as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.
Women over 30 and women of certain ethnicities have a higher chance of developing birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic illnesses may consider seeing a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. This can help couples decide if they need to undergo further testing. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that can be treated as soon as they are identified.
Diagnosis
A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part which affects the way organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects are often detected by a medical professional during pregnancy, during birth or in early childhood. Some Birth defect lawyer defects are noticeable, like cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities and others are not as evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).
Many birth defect conditions are detected through newborn screening tests which look for specific health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can easily be identified by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the defect.
It may not always be it possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a physician failed to take the proper steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these instances it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice could be pursued.
Treatment
If a birth defect is recognized, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the issue. Certain birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others might require medical intervention or surgery after the baby's birth.
The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal, resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips or neural tube defects and heart problems. These are typically caused by issues during the development of a baby's organs, specifically during the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a baby is born or later in life, when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be carried out by ultrasounds or blood tests. One can undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular disease.
Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some birth defects result from complications that occur during pregnancy, whereas others can be linked to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Some birth defects can be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides, such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.
Compensation
Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child with a birth defect that may be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an expert lawyer as soon as possible. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help you comprehend your legal options and pursue compensation for your family's expenses and losses.
Our team of experienced birth defect law firm defect lawyers has 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 take away the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, you and your family.
We can help you obtain compensation for any damages, including past and future medical costs and lost income, as well as punitive damages in certain instances and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the situation and work hard to ensure that your family receives the best possible outcome.
Drug manufacturers are expected to adequately test their products prior to releasing them onto the market and to warn consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If the birth defects of your child resulted from a drug, you may bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.