The Ugly Real Truth Of Birth Defect Attorney
What Causes a Birth Defect?
It's the last thing an expectant parent wants to hear: Their child could be born with a birth defect. These problems are caused by things that happen during fetal development and can affect your child's mental or physical health.
A health care provider can diagnose some birth defects in pregnancy through newborn screening or prenatal tests. However other birth defects can not be identified until after the birth of your child or later when they develop symptoms.
What was the cause of your child's error?
The causes of the majority of birth defects is still unknown. There are certain factors that can increase the risk of the mother having a child with a birth defect. Some of these include taking drugs or certain medications before becoming pregnant, having a family history of birth defects, or having medical conditions like rheumatic disease. Women who have a history of these disorders should talk to an expert on genetic counseling about their options prior getting pregnant.
The severity of a birth defect in a child varies on the body part affected and how much is affected. Typically, the more severe the defect it, the more serious the problem will be.
The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal development. You can lessen the risk of a birth deformity by consulting a genetic counselor or a health professional, gaining knowledge about the background of your family, and having a conversation with an expert in genetics.
Structural birth problems are those that alter how a specific part of the body appears or functions. They can range from the visible such as cleft lips and cleft palate, up to the invisible, like metabolic disorders or chromosome disorders. Genetically-inherited conditions may be a sign of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, for instance, a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects, which result in the development of the spinal or brain not working as intended.
Find More Evidence than You Think You Can.
There are a variety of medical procedures pregnant mothers can undergo in order to determine the cause of the possibility of birth Defect law Firms defects. Amniocentesis can be one of them, where a healthcare provider takes tiny amounts of fluid from the fetus for testing. This test may reveal chromosomal irregularities and other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.
A doctor can examine the amniotic fluid, blood and tissues of a fetus for indications of a birth defect. These tests are crucial in determining the cause of birth defect. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect and its effects on a child's future.
Certain birth defects may not be recognized until after the birth of a child or, in some rare cases even as an adult. These conditions are not detectable until they have been identified, and often can only be identified with the use of diagnostic equipment. In these instances the medical expert witness must be conversant with the latest technologies and possess the necessary training to recognize the defects. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney will be able to identify the most suitable expert for your case.
Hire an attorney for Medical Malpractice
A child born with a severe defect or birth injury can drastically alter the life of families. These injuries can cause lasting physical and mental health challenges, requiring medical care for a lifetime.
Medical science may explain around 30% of birth defect cases however, many other cases are still unknown. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances, like those found in prescription or over the counter medication taken by mothers, toxic chemicals in homes and communities, or contaminated groundwater and air, can cause birth defects.
Doctors have a duty to examine a pregnant mother's current medications and advise her of any possible risks to the embryo. If they fail to perform this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects caused by medications.
Doctors are also required to determine the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could lead to grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered malpractice. It is essential to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer immediately when this happens. In certain states, you have only one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice and it's recommended to begin the process as soon as possible.
Start with the First Step
Birth defects are the main cause of infant death. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These conditions can be life-threatening and can lead to long-term physical, cognitive and emotional difficulties. In some instances, researchers have linked the causes to a mother's exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medicines, toxins that are found in the environment or in the maternal environment, as well as complications of pregnancy and birth, or medical history of the family (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease, PKU). However, in the majority of birth defect lawsuit defects cases the cause is not known.
Certain birth defects are readily evident and can be found either at birth or during the first year. Certain birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities require tests specific to be identified.
Researchers are trying determine the root of birth defects, and how they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or take illegal drugs while pregnant are more likely to having a child born with certain defects. Women with a family history of inherited genetic disorders should consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information regarding medical conditions that run in their families and discuss it with their doctor or genetic counselor.