The 10 Most Terrifying 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 who are affected for a lifetime.

Different classifications and types of cases may result in an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with an injury or defect it could cause serious health problems for the child's life. Birth defects can result from an error in medicine or the negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be avoided through taking care of your baby and eating well. In other cases they could be the result of environmental factors like exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects are also caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, such as the uterine limit rupture of the amniotic sac, or a lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that run in families. These are easily detected with an ultrasound or blood test. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Some birth defect attorneys defects aren't identified as a cause. They are called congenital disorders, or congenital abnormalities.

Women who are over 30 and those of certain ethnicities have an increased risk for some birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic disorders may consider seeing a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine if they need to undergo further tests. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part which can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects are often detected by a medical professional during pregnancy, before birth or even in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defect law firm defects, such as cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial abnormalities, are apparent. Others, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile to the liver).

Many birth defects can be detected through newborn screening tests, which check for specific health issues. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be identified by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the defect.

It's not always certain what caused a birth defect, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the air and water of communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or delivery. Other times birth defects may be caused by a doctor failing to take the appropriate measures to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these situations the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

When a birth defect is diagnosed, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others may require medical intervention or surgery after the baby is born.

A few of the most common disorders are chromosomal. They are caused by missing or excess genes in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. The most common structural defects are cleft lips, neural tube defects, and heart issues. These defects are caused by problems with the development of organs in the baby particularly during the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later on in life when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are susceptible to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some birth defects are caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, while other are linked to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are also caused by certain chemicals that can be found in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries are still a tragic reality. Fortunately many birth defects can be prevented. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that a birth defect may have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable will help you understand the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have 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 high level of service we offer our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages in certain circumstances as well as emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work diligently to ensure the best possible outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and warn consumers about any potential side effects. If the birth defects of your child resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.