The 10 Most Scariest Things About Birth Defect Attorneys

birth defect Attorney Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and an hour, one 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.

Variations in the way cases are classified and identified can lead to over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and clinical review and passive reporting.

Causes

If a baby is born with an injury or defect it can cause serious health problems for the child for life. Birth defects are often caused by an error in medicine or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defect can be prevented by proper nutrition and prenatal care. In some cases, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can result from complications during pregnancy, like uterine constriction, rupture of the sac of amniotic fluid or a lack oxygen to the foetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic diseases that run in families. These are easily identified through a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects are not known to have a reason and are classified as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to get pregnant. This can help couples decide if they need to undergo additional tests. Screening tests for newborns can help identify certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any part of the body, affecting the way that organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be detected by a medical professional during pregnancy, at birth or in early childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious like cleft lips, craniofacial anomalies or palates however others are more noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests which look for certain health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. A doctor can detect certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It's not always certain what caused birth defects, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This can include exposures to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating air and water in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or the birth. Other times birth defects may be caused by a doctor not taking appropriate steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical disease. In these situations there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a birth defect differ based on the severity and nature of the defect. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

A majority of 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. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart problems. They are typically caused by issues during the growth of the baby's organs, specifically during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They can also be done later on in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. One can also take an genetic test for birth defects to determine whether they are susceptible to a particular ailment.

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

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic fact. Fortunately most birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child suffering from a birth defect that may be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an skilled lawyer as soon as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate can help you understand the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has many years of experience dealing with cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we pride ourselves on the exceptional service we offer to our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages in certain circumstances as well as emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work hard to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug makers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the market, and inform consumers about any potential side consequences. If, however, your child's birth defect was caused by a medication that is a prescription drug you may be able to start a lawsuit based on product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.