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 quarter minutes. These birth defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of those affected.
Different ways in which cases are classified and identified could lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain types of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case ascertainment that includes medical record abstraction and clinical review and passive reporting.
Causes
If the baby is born with a defect or injury, it can cause serious health issues 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 defects can be avoided through the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In some instances birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can be caused by complications during pregnancy, including uterine constriction, rupture of the sac of amniotic fluid or a lack of oxygen to the foetus.
Some birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These can be detected by an ultrasound test or a blood test. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Certain birth defects aren't known to be the cause. They are known as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.
Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of Birth Defect attorneys defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may wish to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help them determine if further tests are required. Screening tests for newborns are able to identify certain conditions, such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that could be treated immediately.
Diagnosis
Birth defects are abnormal growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function or the structure of a person. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or even during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial disorders and others are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).
Many birth defect-related conditions can be identified through newborn screening tests that check for a variety of health problems. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease are among the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defect attorneys defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the type of defect.
It's not always easy to determine the cause of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often associated with. This can include exposures to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are the result of a doctor failing to take the appropriate measures to avoid or treat a medical problem. In these instances medical malpractice claims could be pursued.
Treatment
Treatment options for a birth defect vary depending on the severity and type of birth defect. Some can be corrected before a baby is born, while others might require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.
A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, due to missing or additional genes in a person's cells. These are usually inherited from the parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lips and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. These defects are caused due to issues with the baby's organ development particularly in the initial three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later in life, when symptoms begin to show. The tests can be conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to suffer from a certain condition.
Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Certain birth defects result from complications that arise during pregnancy, while other can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects are often caused by the consumption of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can be caused by chemicals that are found in the environment. These include pesticides and herbalicides, such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.
Compensation
Despite the recent advances in medical science, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Fortunately many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child suffering from an issue with their birth that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's important to speak to an expert lawyer as soon as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.
Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice, and we take pride on the quality of service we provide to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.
We can help you obtain compensation for damages, such as past and future medical costs and lost income, as well as punitive damages in certain instances and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible result.
Manufacturers of drugs are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before putting them on market and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If the birth defects of your child resulted from a drug, you can start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the help of a birth defect lawyer.