The 10 Most Terrifying 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 birth defects can impact the lives of those who are affected for a lifetime.
Different classifications and identifiers of cases can lead to 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 a defect or injury it can have serious health effects on the child for life. Birth defects can be caused by medical errors or negligence of doctors during pregnancy.
In certain cases, birth defect can be avoided through taking care of your baby and eating well. In other cases, they can result from environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that happen during pregnancy, such as the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).
Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders that run in families. These can be detected by a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these ailments can be treated or prevented with the help of a specialist, such as PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other Birth defect Attorney defects have no cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.
Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illnesses might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This will help them determine if further testing is necessary. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections that can be treated immediately.
Diagnosis
A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part which can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. birth defect lawsuit defects are often detected by a medical professional during the pregnancy process, at birth, or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible such as cleft lips and palates, or craniofacial disorders, while others are less noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).
Many birth defect issues can be identified through newborn screening tests that check for some kinds of health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.
It may not always be possible to know what caused a birth defect, however it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the water and air in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects arise because a doctor did not take the proper steps to prevent or treat an existing medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice claims could be pursued.
Treatment
When a birth defect is identified, the options for treatment vary depending on the type and severity of the defect. Certain defects can be corrected prior to a baby is born, while others may require surgery or other medical interventions after the child is born.
Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are typically passed down from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found, neural tube defects, and heart issues. They are typically caused by problems with the growth of the baby's organs, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests are performed during pregnancy, or after birth. They may also be conducted later in life, if symptoms begin to manifest. These tests can be conducted via ultrasounds and blood tests. One can also take genetic tests for birth defects in order to determine whether they are prone to a certain condition.
It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some birth defects are caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects may be caused by chemicals that are found in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.
Compensation
Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic fact. Fortunately, many birth defects are preventable. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be due to the negligence of medical experts. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.
Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling wrongful birth cases. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the exceptional 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 help you pursue compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages in some instances as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible outcome.
Manufacturers of drugs are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them on the market and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If, however your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may start a lawsuit based on product liability with the help of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.