The 10 Scariest Things About 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 the rest of their lives.
Differences in how cases are classified and identified could lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain subtypes 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
A baby born with an injury or defect may have long-term health effects. Birth defects could be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of a doctor during pregnancy.
In certain cases, birth Defect Attorneys defects can be avoided by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In certain instances birth defects, they can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may be the result of complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus, rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen in the foetus.
Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders which run in families. They can be detected with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no reason and are classified as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.
Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of having birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may wish to consult a genetic counsellor before attempting to get pregnant. This will aid them in determining if further testing is required. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that could be treated immediately.
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. Birth defects can be spotted by a healthcare professional during the pregnancy process, at birth, or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, such as palates, lips or craniofacial irregularities are visible. Other birth defects, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).
Many birth defect-related conditions can be identified by newborn screening tests which look for certain types of health issues. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.
It isn't always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However the environment is often associated with. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a medical professional failing to take appropriate measures to avoid or treat a medical disease. In these instances the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.
Treatment
When a birth defect has been diagnosed, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the issue. Some birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention after the baby's birth.
The most frequent issues are the chromosomal. These are caused by missing or excess genes within cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart issues. These are typically caused by issues during the growth of the baby's body organs, especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later on in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be performed by ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take an genetic test for birth defect attorney defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a specific condition.
Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some are caused by complications that happen during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to specific environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are linked to certain chemicals that are found in the surrounding 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 as well as injuries remain a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child with a birth defect that could 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 attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.
Our team of experienced birth defect law firms defect lawyers has years of experience dealing with legal claims involving birth defects that are wrongful. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we are proud on the quality of service we provide to our clients. We will 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 your losses, which could include the future and past medical costs as well as lost income, damages for punitive in certain circumstances and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible outcome.
Manufacturers of drugs are required to test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market and warn consumers of possible adverse reactions. However, if your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug, you could start a lawsuit based on product liability with the assistance of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.